Ridgewood Reservoir was the primary source of fresh water for residents of Brooklyn and Queens from 1858 to 1898 when Brooklyn became part of New York City and began drawing from the Croton Aqueduct. In 1989 the basins were decommissioned, drained, and abandoned. Over the following decades, eight distinct ecologies emerged in three reservoir basins, establishing a concentrated patch of wilderness in the city.

RAFT is working with NYCH2O and dcap to create a vision for Ridgewood Reservoir that will preserve this treasure and allow New York City children to access this rare ecological and cultural experience.

Funding for this project is provided by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.