Central x South East Brooklyn CDC

10/03/2026

Jeff Keiter (Jeff Keiter) is a landscape architect and the arborist for the Frederick Douglass Memorial Park. He has surveyed the 200+ trees on the 17-acre property and has documented over 40 tree species so far. Among them is a very old beech tree that may have pre-dated the park, native oaks, sassafras, native evergreens, exotic evergreens, and a very unique collection of what he has identified as Chinese arborvitae, which have been planted throughout the park as living memorials. He initially volunteered for a cemetery clean up day, but after it got rained out he continued to correspond with Ms. Cuffee, expressing his interest in the history and the story behind the park. Since then, they applied for and received level 1 arboretum status, and future beautification projects are planned.

10/01/2026

NYC’s Forest Day is only 2 days away.

This Saturday, join us at Frederick Douglass Memorial Park for City of Forest Day — a day of history, environmental stewardship, and community action.

Together, let’s protect our environment. make New York healthier and more resilient—while helping preserve a historic Black cemetery and the stories rooted in its grounds.

📍 Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, Staten Island
📅 Saturday, October 3
🕛 12–4 PM (the park opens at 9am, activities begin at noon)

Hosted by Central x South East Brooklyn CDC and Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, with community partners including the NAACP.

10/01/2026

City of Forest Day is an annual celebration of trees in NYC and the power of the urban forest to bring people together, clean our air, and make our city a greener, more livable place.

Celebrate
on October 3 and check out all of the amazing events hosted across the city! 🌳

forestforall.nyc/city-of-forest-day/

09/30/2026

Sure.

NYC’s Forest Day is only 3 days away.

This Saturday, join us at Frederick Douglass Memorial Park for City of Forest Day — a day of history, environmental stewardship, and community action.

Together, let’s protect our environment. make New York healthier and more resilient—while helping preserve a historic Black cemetery and the stories rooted in its grounds.

📍 Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, Staten Island
📅 Saturday, October 3
🕛 12–4 PM (the park opens at 9am, activities begin at noon)

Hosted by Central x South East Brooklyn CDC and Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, with community partners including the NAACP.

09/29/2026

In 2022, Lynn Cuffee learned that Frederick Douglass Memorial Park was in disrepair. For her, it was personal. Members of her own family are laid to rest here. So she asked: “How can I help?”

That question started a new chapter. She joined the cemetery’s board and worked with Black heritage organizations to protect its history. Then, on June 18, 2024 —one day before Juneteenth —
Frederick Douglass Memorial Park became a New York City landmark.

But the work didn’t stop there. Now, you can be part of what comes next.

Join us this Saturday, October 3, from noon to 4 p.m. for The Spirit Trees of Frederick Douglass Memorial Park.

Help care for the grounds.
Learn about the trees.
Discover the history.

And help restore this landmark to founder Rodney Dade’s vision: A place where his people could
“enjoy the dignity they deserve.”

Show up. Learn. Make a difference.

Saturday, October 3 | Noon–4 p.m.

Thank you to Greensalsa for the video footage.

09/26/2026

09/26/2026

Happy World Environmental Health Day! 🌍🌿 At Central x South East Brooklyn CDC, we know that the health of our community is directly tied to the health of our local environment.

From the air we breathe to the green spaces where our families gather, environmental justice is at the heart of our mission. That is why hands-on community initiatives—like organizing tree stewarding in Nostrand Park alongside incredible partners like Black Girl Environmentalists—are so vital. Every tree cared for and every neighborhood green space protected means a healthier, safer Brooklyn for all of us.

Today, let’s recommit to protecting our neighborhoods from the ground up. How are you helping keep our community green today? Drop your favorite local park or eco-tip in the comments! 👇🏾

09/21/2026

Join us for the fourth annual City of Forest Day on Saturday, October 3, 2026!

🌳CXSE Brooklyn is thrilled to participate in this free citywide event to care for the "lungs" of our city. Central X South East Brooklyn CDC presents "The Spirit Trees of Frederick Douglass Memorial Park." We will be blessing the land, stewarding the trees alongside landscape architect and arborist, Jeff Keiter,, and learning park history and the vision for its from public historian Debbie-Ann Paige and board secretary Lynn Cuffee.

• Location: Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, 3201 Amboy Road, Staten Island, NY 10306
• Time: 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm
• Details: Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/the-spirit-trees

A huge thank you to our partners: Forest for All, Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, Brooklyn and Staten Island NAACP,and .rla!

08/04/2026

You and your family are invited to join the 70th Precinct Community Council tomorrow evening for our annual National Night Out Against Crime. It’s completely free, and it’s always a great chance for us to get together as a community.
The weather looks like it’s going to cooperate—around 84 degrees, less humid, and really pleasant out.

Event Details
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Parade Grounds (Entrance on Caton Avenue between Argyle and Rugby Roads)

What we’ll have:
Fresh BBQ
Bouncy House for the kids
Live DJ
Games & Giveaways
Health & Blood Pressure Screenings
And plenty more!

Bring your family, tell your neighbors, and come enjoy the evening with us. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there!

05/13/2026

Stronger Together: Community Action in Times of Crisis
Fifth Annual Community Emergency Network Conference
Protection and support your communities in times of crisis! Our free in-person conference will help you network with the NYC Health Department.

Learn about:
-Key partnerships for situational awareness
-The intersection of disability justice and mutual aid
-Environmental Justice in NYC
-The impact of AI on communication readiness

Wednesday, May 20th, 2026
9:00am - 3:30pm

NYU Kimmel Center
Grand Hall
238 Thompson Street
New, NY 10012

Register at bit.ly/2026CEN

This is a free conference . For questions or to request on accommodation, contact [email protected] at least 72 hours before the conference.

Partners: FRANC, Staten Island COAD, East Harlem CAOD, LES Ready, Southern Brooklyn COAD, NYC Health