The Urban Meadow is a volunteer-run community garden at the corner of President Street and Van Brunt Street in the Columbia Street Waterfront District, licensed through NYC Parks’ GreenThumb program and entirely operated and maintained by the neighbors who tend it.
The lot once held the Mother Cabrini Chapel, demolished after the sewer reconstruction of the 1970s; the Parks Department acquired it in 2000. Landscape designer Julie Farris, who had turned a nearby lot into a temporary pasture in 2005, pushed for a permanent green space, and the roughly 8,000-square-foot meadow of flowering dogwoods and wildflowers opened with a ribbon cutting on June 11, 2008, a project of XS Space and Balmori Associates with the Parks Department, the Borough President’s office and Brooklyn Community Board 6.
Costumes on. The Underground Horns brass band leads the procession through the neighborhood at noon. New this year, a bring-your-own carved or decorated pumpkin contest, kids 12 and under and adults, with prizes for the best; bring your pumpkin to the Urban Meadow before the parade and register in advance. Coffee and baked treats before, pizza after, by donation, then games and activities for the kids and a costume portrait station.
The Halloween Parade. Every year on or around Halloween the garden throws a Halloween party and parade from Mother Cabrini Park and Playground, across the street: costumes, a brass band leading a procession through the neighborhood, coffee and baked treats before and pizza after, by donation, and games for the kids afterward. In 2026 it is Saturday, October 31, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, with the Underground Horns leading the procession at noon and a new carved and decorated pumpkin contest for kids 12 and under and for adults.
Membership and open days. The garden is run by its members and coordinators; 2026 membership requests go through their form, and open garden events, markets and concerts are posted on their calendar and Instagram.