New York City was one of the numerous places hit by Hurricane Sandy. It could be remembered that almost three years ago, the natural disaster brought devastating damages. The historical sites around New York City were among those that were severely damaged.
According to a news report by the New York Times, New York City Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has stated the outcome as an unrelieved "state of disrepair." He declared on Tuesday that they need $6.2 million in federal grants to restore 16 historical properties. The monetary help will come from the National Parks Service and will be paid by the state's Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's Commissioner, Rose Harvey, said in a statement to New York State that, "Many historic places continue to struggle with the harsh impact of Super Storm Sandy." He also added that, "Under the Governor's leadership, State Parks is part of the effort to assess, renovate and protect landmarks that are so important in our state's history."
Among the 13 counties who are entitled to the government funding, Brooklyn or Kings County accepted $2.6 million. Some of the funding will go to the three recipients of Brooklyn. They are the Evergreens Cemetery, the Green-Wood Cemetery, and Prospect Park.
The Evergreens Cemetery, a stunning 225-acre rural cemetery, has an entire area of maples, cherries, dogwoods, birches, cedars and pines in its Beacon Hill section. The cemetery, which rises over Highland Boulevard, was wiped out. What is now left is a bare hillside. A 30-foot branch of a maple tree located in the Sumachs part of the cemetery was also knocked down during a storm last month. The branch hammered over dozens of gravestones and monuments.
According to a report by the New York Times, the Evergreen cemetery will be given $1 million to help reinstate the historical scenery and to renovate monuments and memorials. An added $320,000 will help in funding a detailed damage evaluation and restoration plan.
A total of twenty-five gravestones and thirty tiles were dislocated and ruptured at the site of the 478-acre Green-Wood Cemetery. A government funding of $565,475 is needed to restore the Breithaupt mausoleum, along with 50 large trees about to be planted.
On the other hand, a funding of $488,228 will be given to Prospect Park to help clear the leftovers of around 500 trees that were lost in the forest on Lookout Hill. The fund will also restore the enveloping plants in the area, such as porcelain berry, paper mulberry, and knotweed.