Friends Of Fallen Photojournalist Chris Hondros Bid To Name BBP Meadow In His Honor

Brooklyn Bridge Park wants help naming a new meadow located near Pier 6. Although park officials are suggesting it be deemed after a bird or flower, there’s a bid for it to be named “The Christopher Hondros Memorial Meadow,” in memory of the fallen war photographer and former DUMBO resident.

The idea was first raised by Patrick Whalen, photo editor at the Wall Street Journal, who was struck after seeing an announcement that the park was holding a naming contest for its new lawn. “It hit me like a bolt of lightning,” Whalen tells DNAInfo.com. “I knew this would be the perfect way to pay tribute to Chris and remember the true friend he was to so many of us in the photojournalism community who reside in Brooklyn, and it would also be a nice way of having his name permanently tied to a city he truly loved.”

Adds Stephanie Gaskell, a journalist and friend of Hondros, “Chris was constantly traveling to some of the most remote and dangerous places in the world, but he always loved coming home to Brooklyn. I know he would find this a fitting tribute—a place where those who loved him can celebrate his life (and) take in the amazing views of the city he loved and embodied.”

Hondros was killed in a grenade blast while on assignment in Libya in April 2011, alongside friend and fellow photographer Tim Hetherington.

Whalen and Hondros’ allies ones are asking anyone moved by the idea to write to BBP at info@brooklynbridgepark.org by March 20, 2013. The winner will be announced on April 1.

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  • Topham Beauclerk

    Who is Christopher Hondros that a bit a park should be named for him? I can understand the desire of his friends to honor him but to award him such a signal honor is absurd. Did he do anything really substantial for Brooklyn other than live here?

  • Tony

    I’m with Topham. The man’s death is a cause for sorrow, but there are many admirable people in this city – they all don’t merit public monuments. Name the park for a bird or flower.

  • Jazz

    Sad comments. What a sad neighborhood sometimes.

  • Duc

    I haven’t posted here in a while. I see nothing has changed. Same self centered people posting under different names. I can’t wait till my lease is up so I’m not one of those people who live in BK Heights anymore.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    What about making it a memorial field for all brooklyn residents of notoriety who died?

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    Oh, and where will you go?

  • elw_ny

    Apparently quite a few people have been advocating for Christopher Hondros’s name being used for the meadow. I didn’t know the man, but I also can’t think of a reason for park that didn’t even exist in his lifetime to be named for him. I’d prefer it be named for a bird or flower too. But if you feel that way, it might be a good idea to let Brooklyn Bridge Park know.

  • C.