STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — May 3, 2014. Mount Manresa was a Jesuit retreat on Staten Island. Recently the property was sold to Savo Brothers, a construction firm that intends to build 250 townhouses on the site. To do this Savo hired what the Staten Island Advance called “tree trimmers” to come in and knock down one of the few remaining old growth forests in New York City, displacing wildlife in the process. In response a group of Islanders formed a community-based organization to educate the public and to appeal to elected officials to intervene — the stated goal being to convert the property into a park, a public space and wildlife sanctuary. On Saturday, May 3, 2014, the organzation held a “Take Back Staten Island” march to bring attention to the ongoing “development” and to curb what organizers see as overdevelopment on New York City’s once-green borough.

Before the march started, NYC Public Advocate Letitia James met with the marchers.

See www.savemanresa.org for more information about the effort to save Mount Manresa, including details on how to get involved, upcoming events, and where to sign online petitions.

Letitia James (r) with members of the Save Mount Manresa organization.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / TAG Photography)

Letitia James (r) with members of the Save Mount Manresa organization.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / TAG Photography)

Letitia James (l) with members of the Save Mount Manresa organization.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / TAG Photography)

Letitia James (r) with members of the Save Mount Manresa organization.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / TAG Photography)

Members and supporters of the Save Mount Manresa organization marching in Staten Island.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / TAG Photography)