The Ridgewood Reservoir is one of New York's genuine oddities: three basins built in the 1850s to supply the City of Brooklyn, taken out of service and left alone until forest and wetland grew up inside them. Volunteering here means working on the path that rings that accidental wilderness, with a view down into it. If you want to give a morning to a park and see something almost nobody in the city knows exists, take this one.
What to expect
Expect NYC Parks staff to assign tasks such as weeding, invasive removal, mulching or trail maintenance along the reservoir path, with tools and gloves provided. The work is outdoors and physical but scaled to whoever shows up. The path circles the basins, so you get the reservoir view throughout the session.
Good to know
- The Ridgewood Reservoir sits inside Highland Park on the Brooklyn–Queens border, above Cypress Hills.
- The J and Z at Crescent Street and buses along Jamaica Avenue are the usual approaches.
- Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and clothes you do not mind ruining.
- Tools and gloves are typically provided by NYC Parks; bring your own water.
- Volunteer sessions usually ask you to sign up in advance — check the NYC Parks stewardship listings.
- The path is unpaved in stretches, so it is not fully wheelchair accessible.
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Common questions
What is the Ridgewood Reservoir?
A set of 1850s reservoir basins that once supplied the City of Brooklyn; drained decades ago, they have grown into woodland and wetland inside Highland Park.
Do I need experience?
No — NYC Parks stewardship workdays are led by staff who assign tasks and provide tools.
What should I wear?
Closed-toe shoes, long pants and clothes you can get dirty; bring water and sun protection.
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