Freshkills Park

Fresh Kills was once the world's biggest landfill and still qualifies as one of the largest built structures in human history. It was also a torment to Staten Islanders for more than half a century. Is it possible to cherish land that has such a troubled heritage? Can we love a geography made of discards that was created despite the passionate objections of its hosts and neighbors?

Robin Nagle suggests that Fresh Kills, both as a landfill of yesteryear and as a park of tomorrow, does merit our affection, and she goes so far as to claim that Fresh Kills is sacred space. Join us as she explores these provocative ideas on the North Mound of Freshkills Park.

Robin Nagle, anthropologist-in-residence with the New York City Department of Sanitation, teaches anthropology and urban studies at New York University.

Please RSVP to Martha at martha.powers@parks.nyc.gov to participate.