Laurie Blumenfeld, an interior designer with a passion for unexpected contrasts, transformed a neglected parking lot in Brooklyn’s Red Hook into a flourishing naturalistic garden. What started as a personal project has blossomed into a community hub filled with wildflowers, native plants, and pollinator-friendly greenery, creating a refreshing oasis amidst the urban landscape.
- Overgrown parking lot reimagined as a natural meadow
- Community fundraiser quickly supports garden project
- Garden design features year-round blooming and native plants
What happened
When Laurie Blumenfeld moved from Brooklyn Heights to a Red Hook loft, she lost her private roof garden but found inspiration in a nearby neglected parking lot. Seeing potential where others saw neglect, Laurie launched a community-driven project to transform the space into a naturalistic garden. With fundraising support from neighbors and help from fellow residents, she designed and planted vibrant borders filled with wildflowers, native perennials, and pollinator-friendly species, softening the harsh concrete environment.
Over the course of two years, the garden expanded along the block, incorporating ornamental grasses and trees to create dynamic height and texture. Laurie’s background in interior design influenced her plant selections and color palette to create a balanced and evolving display. Today, the garden serves both residents and passers-by, offering a green refuge alongside the industrial waterfront.
Why it feels good
The transformation brought unexpected benefits beyond beautifying the space. Laurie found a new creative outlet where she could explore color, texture, and form outdoors, expanding on her passion for combining contrasting elements in design. The garden’s presence uplifts the spirits of the community by replacing a weary, weedy lot with vibrant life and seasonal surprises.
Residents and visitors have expressed how the garden positively impacts their mood and energy. The mingling of a natural, meadow-like environment amid urban structures creates a sense of calm and wonder. This blend of city and nature invites everyone to pause from the pace of city life and enjoy a restorative moment in the green oasis.
What to enjoy or watch next
Laurie’s garden is designed to offer floral interest across every season. Spring blooms with colorful tulips, summer invites attention to mulberries and butterflies, and autumn showcases fiery maples shifting through reds and oranges. In the future, Laurie plans to add lavender planting in the triangular garden beds that mark former parking spots, enhancing fragrance and color.
The garden stands as a lasting example of how urban spaces can be reimagined to support community wellbeing and biodiversity. Visitors can enjoy the ongoing cycle of flowers and foliage, and watch how this peaceful meadow continues to grow and inspire, proving that even the smallest green initiatives can make a big difference in city life.