Prospect Park South Community Garden Taking Shape

Flatbush Gardener has a report about a 0.8-acre plot of land tucked away on Albemarle Road that’s going to be turned into a community garden. The property is on a site that was originally owned by Dean Alvord, the developer of Prospect Park South, and later by Israel Matz, the founder of Ex-Lax (Flatbush Gardener has thus provisionally dubbed the space “Ex-Lax Gardens”). A lot of the existing trees on the space need to be removed before vegetables can be cultivated, and community meetings are going to be held for people who are interested in getting involved with the garden. Are any readers involved with the project? What can you tell us about it?
The Future Home of the Ex-Lax Gardens GMAP

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Just the place to take the air after Mexican food.

Posted by: Rehab at November 8, 2007 4:47 PM

It's an amazing piece of land, I've noticed it several times exploring the neighborhood. Was always kind of amazed nobody had built on it. A community garden would be great there. But they should leave some of the trees.

Does anyone know what the deal is with the amazing green and orange pagoda-style frame house on that corner? It's one of the most curious houses in brooklyn.

Posted by: Frederick Law Homestead at November 8, 2007 5:32 PM

Look Here. Little More on the Japanese Victorian and Ex Lax space.
http://home.att.net/~ebasics/prospectparksouth.html

I think the author also posts here from time to time. Hi if you're out there.

Posted by: 1910 at November 8, 2007 5:59 PM

The owner of this property is the owner of the home that is adjacent to it. The the vacant land was purchased by the then property owner after the Ex-Lax mansion burned down. It is extremely gracious of the current owners to allow their land to be used as a community garden. The Victorian Flatbush area has many beautiful private gardens as the back yards of most homes are unusally large for Brooklyn, but this is one place where the community can congregate en masse. I look forward to working on the project.

Posted by: guest at November 8, 2007 9:10 PM

I'm here, a day late.

The property is actually owned not by 1510 Albemarle(the white house with the impressive columned facade adjacent to the gardens), but by 159 Marlborough, the beige house around the corner, designed by John J. Petit and the first home to be constructed in PPS. The current owner purchased the derelict property c.1979. 1520 Albemarle, the enormous Tudor home which occupied the garden, burned in the 50s. Apparantly the Matz (ex-lax) daughters preferred to live elsewhere and the house was inhabited by vagrants. At one time there was talk about building a dorm there for a local medical school program. (not sure which one). Brooklyn Borough Historian Ron Schweiger has a great photo of the original mansion. They are not many out there.

The Gardens were on the Victorian Flatbush House Tour several years ago. The owner also had a lovely collection of old photographs of PPS and environs. The recent tornado took out several trees on the property, which used to appear much more secluded. There is a pre-tornado photo on my website.

As for the Japanese style home located at 131 Buckingham - it was designed in 1902 by Petit and Green. The house is constructed of wood and stucco and the fine, Japanese detailing was exectued by three highly skilled Japanese artisans, one of whom also designed the original garden. It was actually built on spec and wasn't an easy sell. Advertisements were placed in Country Life and the list price was $26,500 - high at the time. Eventually it was purchased by a German doctor by the name of Kolle. He was the inventor of the modern x-ray.

Posted by: Erin Joslyn at November 9, 2007 10:12 AM

There will be some community meetings later this year, the dates and details of which are yet to be worked out. As things develop, I'll have updates on my blog.

I'm also hoping that many/most of the trees can be kept. The tornado "assisted" by removing some of the trees. There are many possible uses for the site, in addition to growing vegetables.

Posted by: Xris at November 9, 2007 9:24 PM

Nobody cares if your here Joslyn. Who made you the know-it-all. Why should we believe you over anyone else who posts here.

Posted by: guest at November 9, 2007 9:34 PM

9:34 = A*hole

Posted by: guest at November 9, 2007 9:50 PM

good lord- I was glad to read it- and was glad to see that Joslyn found the post and took the time to let us know

Posted by: guest at November 10, 2007 9:38 PM

Ahem....

"I think the author (of the above mentioned mebsite)also posts here from time to time. Hi if you're out there."

9:34 - Not only are you an asshole, but you are also an ignoramus. And it's Erin Joslyn, not Joslyn, btw. Unlike most who post here, including yourself, I'm not afraid to stand behind my words.

Posted by: Erin Joslyn at November 11, 2007 8:50 PM

The historical information by Erin Joslyn are CORRECT. I do have a 1905 photo of Dean Alvord's house on the property. His limo (horse and wagon) are parked in front. All of her other info is absolutely correct.
Ron Schweiger
Brooklyn Borough Historian

Posted by: guest at January 28, 2008 8:34 PM

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November 8, 2007

Prospect Park South Community Garden Taking Shape

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