Welcome to Brunel Park!
Soyez les Bienvenues!
On the Main Drag…. Off the Beaten Path
Brunel Park/ Sculpture Garden is home to over a dozen statues, sculptures, bas reliefs, and totem poles, framed by a naturalistic garden setting, conceived and constructed by Emile Brunel, a photographer, sculptor, filmmaker, and founder of the New York Institute of Photography.
Brunel Park / Sculpture Garden is a community learning center and sanctuary dedicated to the mysteries of nature and art, situated on the Esopus Creek in Catskill Park, New York State, traditional home of the Munsee Esopus Lenape within the Mahicannituck River Watershed, where the first people of the Catskills once thrived.
Who was Emile Brunel?
Learn the incredible story of Emile Brunel, an imaginative French immigrant whose visionary resort was inspired by the indigenous art and culture he had seen after spending time with Native American tribes of the American West.
Emile Brunel’s extraordinary dream survives 100 years…
Brunel Park is a community-driven cultural center located on the former site of Emile Brunel’s home and Le Chalet Indien, a hotel opened by Brunel in 1921. Brunel was deeply enamored of Native American peoples and devoted half of his lifetime to constructing concrete expressionistic sculptures devoted to these indigenous communities.
The result is an extraordinary, surreal, and magical folk art environment that is currently listed in the National and State Register of Historic Places.
Today, these sculptures, built between 1921 and 1939 are still standing as a testament to the tangible and intangible cultural assets and practices of the Native American people of our region. The park hosts a plethora of native horticulture and serves as a tranquil, healing, inclusive and reflective space for visitors and residents.
Our ongoing focus is on raising funds to replenish our financial stores to support new programs and ongoing maintenance of the ecosystem and garden they are inseparable from. If you are interested in supporting our mission, please click the button below.
Watch our welcome video!
We need your help.
Support Brunel Sculpture Garden!
Brunel's iconic sculptures were in desperate need of restoration. Nearly 100 years of harsh weather have eroded them past the point of our expertise -- and we brought in the experts. Extending the lifespan of these iconic sculptures has been an important objective in our commitment to hold this place as a community center for dialog, knowledge sharing, healing, and connection.
In saving these sculptures, it is our intention both to acknowledge those who came before us, and to transmit their legacy to future generations.
By contributing to the Friends of Brunel Park, our non-profit organization, you will help provide funds to bring diverse programming and Indigenous perspectives to our land and community. Your donations will also provide matching funds for grants to be raised in support of our ongoing sculpture restoration efforts. Thank you!
Please help us continue to evolve Brunel Sculpture Garden into a cultural and educational resource, a beautiful and well-maintained destination for visitors and residents, and a place that reflects and serves the community in which we are located.
To uncover our many volunteer opportunities, click the Get Involved! button.
Get Involved with Brunel Park!
All original artwork and woodblock prints by Bianka Schneider
What’s Happening Today at Brunel Park?
Every day at Brunel Sculpture Garden is a celebration. From readings to performances, special events and concerts, Brunel Park is an acclaimed venue where visitors can connect with our local community. Click the link below to see what’s going on in Brunel Park this season!
Follow Us To See What’s Happening!
WE HEARTILY AND HUMBLY THANK OUR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPONSORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT
Friends of Brunel Park is a 501c3 non-profit organization certified by the New York State Board of Regents. All donations are tax exempt to the extent permitted by federal law.
Brunel Park is a proud member of
The Artist Built Environment Network
