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The Rainbow Labyrinth, Brook Park Nature Preserve, Bronx, NY.
The Rainbow Labyrinth was painted on an old buckling asphalt tennis court in Brook Park as a way of introducing labyrinths to the local community of Mott Haven. As its name indicates it is painted with the colors of the rainbow radiating outward from purple to red. The Rainbow Labyrinth is the site of numerous community activities including an event that honored and thanked the local firefighters and police officers for their rescue efforts precipitated by the tragedy of September 11th 2001. Local children walk the Rainbow Labyrinth as part of their school activities. Numerous neighborhood residents who have now become familiar with walking the labyrinth work with it as a tool for contemplation and personal transformation.
Camino de Paz Labyrinths is collaborating with Friends of Brook Park who manage the park on the Harmony Grove and Peace Walk Labyrinth which will transform the Rainbow Labyrinth into a natural materials labyrinth, a tree grove with a visible brook running through it. This project was inspired by the USDA Forest Service Living Memorials Project who granted funds for the tree planting portion of the project. We are seeking funds or in kind donations of equipment and expertise to remove the asphalt, daylight the brook and build the labyrinth. This is a hands on community designed and built project where local residents will participate in building the labyrinth, planting trees and landscaping the surrounding areas according to the final design.
During Spring 2003 we are working with two community groups, Pueblo en Marcha and Mott Haven Village Preparatory School on the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation sponsored Artist and Communities project where young people are invited to explore design ideas for the site. Their design brief is to include the labyrinth, trees and a body of water. Models and drawings will be made and displayed at the local Mott Haven Library in late June. Where possible some of their ideas may be incorporated into the built design. This project is a wonderful opportunity for young people who live in the neighborhood to be introduced to the complexities of the labyrinth and think creatively and practically on how its inclusion in Brook Park will provide local residents and visitors with a powerful tool for contemplation and community building.
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