June 29, 2009

New Turf Field On the Way in Prospect Heights

dean%20st%20playground.JPG
Artificial turf is in the process of being put down at the Dean Street Playground, which is between 6th Avenue and Carlton. The project was supposed to be finished last month, according to a Parks Dept. worker who was on the site last week, and the new target completion date is this Thursday. The Parks employee said the contractor on the job has been having trouble getting the turf to adhere to the playground's asphalt surface. In addition to the synthetic turf, the ballfield is slated to have new dugouts and spectator benches. GMAP

June 22, 2009

It's Official: Nouvel, Pretty Ponies Coming to BBP

janes%20carousel.jpg On Saturday the governor's office issued a press release confirming the rumor that Jane Walentas's carousel will have a home in Brooklyn Bridge Park: "Jane Walentas has agreed to donate her restored 1920s carousel, along with a pavilion and $3.45 million toward landscaping and improvements to BBPDC. The Carousel will be located on the western edge of the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park inside the pavilion designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel. Ms. Walentas will also establish a non-profit entity, 'Friends of Jane’s Carousel,' responsible for carousel operations, expenses and revenue collection." A New York mag story from a year ago about Walentas's campaign to get the carousel in the park said Nouvel's design for the enclosure involves a glass-walled structure in which the horses' shadows prance "on the pavilion’s glass wall as they revolve by night."
Governor Paterson Announces Major Step for Brooklyn Bridge Park [Room 8]
Jane's Carousel Bound for Brooklyn Bridge Park [Brownstoner]
Photo by kdollnyc.

June 17, 2009

No, They're Not Building a New Boat House in Prospect Park

If you're a Forum visitor, you may have noticed Bob Marvin's post on Monday about a strange building rising on the peninsula in Prospect Park. Turns out it's part of the set for a Tina Fey/Steve Carell movie that's scheduled to be filming today. Prospect Park is standing in for the Central Park Boat House, it turns out. To see a photo of the behind-the-scenes construction click through below.

Continue reading "No, They're Not Building a New Boat House in Prospect Park"

New Street Furniture Outside Borough Hall

Al fresco lunching just got a whole lot easier for the Downtown business crowd. Yesterday the Court-Livingston-Schermerhorn BID set up 25 tables and 80 chairs in Columbus Park, the public plaza in front of the steps to Borough Hall. The street furniture, which is on loan from the Montague Street BID, will be set up through mid-October. Bravo!!

June 11, 2009

BBPDC To Assume Control of Fulton Ferry State Park

In a step that should help streamline the efforts at creating one long continuous park along the Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo waterfront, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation will assume management responsibility for the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park under a 99-year lease deal with the State. In addition to coordinating maintenance and programming, reports The Eagle, the move will also put the BBPDC in charge of booking the Tobacco Warehouse and overseeing the restoration of the Empire Stores.
Bridge Park Corporation To Take Over Empire Park [Brooklyn Eagle]

June 9, 2009

Checking In On Albee Square

The creation of a 17,000-square-foot public plaza in the Fulton Mall that will be known as Albee Square is well underway. The portion of Dekalb Avenue that is being included in the paved public space has been decommissioned already and the park is is expected to be operational, at least in part, by the holiday season. According to the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership website, Albee Square "will contain new seating, distinctive lighting, and landscaping."
Prepping for the Public Plaza on Fulton Mall [Brownstoner]
Big Plans for Fulton Mall Makeover [Brownstoner]

June 5, 2009

Ferry Service to Governor's Island Starts This Weekend!

Via Lost City comes a reminder that tomorrow marks the inaugural run of the new ferry service from Brooklyn to Governor's Island. On Saturday, the ferry will leave Fulton Ferry Landing at 11:15 a.m. and every hour thereafter until 4:15 p.m.; there's no Brooklyn service on Sunday and you'll need to consult the ferry schedule to find out when it will run again. Photo by roboppy.

June 4, 2009

Brooklyn Bridge Park Benefit on Rain or Shine

Just a reminder for everyone coming to tonight's Sunset Psychedelic party being thrown by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy on Pier 5 at 6 pm: The party is rain or shine! There are two large tents, so even if Mother Nature isn't cooperating, there will be plenty of space to enjoy the music, art, dancing and food. More info here.

June 1, 2009

Coney Arena Opponents Now Dwelling on Sound

When plans for the $64 million Coney Island concert arena championed by Borough Prez Marty Markowitz were revealed earlier this year, there was the inevitable outcry from naysayers in the neighborhood. At first, the opposition said the money should be spent on schools instead. More recently, a local synagogue has threatened to invoke an obscure law prohibiting amplified sound within 500 feet of religious buildings while services are taking place; this could pose a particular problem given that synagogues tend to be in session on Friday and Saturday nights just when you'd want to be having the highest profile concerts. The architects behind the project spoke out in the Daily News yesterday to explain that the new set-up would actually result in less noise for the nabe: "The same concert turned to the same volume won't sound as loud," said Mark Husser, an architect at Grimshaw, the international firm drawing up plans for the proposed Coney Island Center inside Asser Levy Park. "I've entertained the people in that neighborhood since 1991," added Markowitz. "I've put a smile on their face for 31 years. Why would I want them to frown?"
Planners Try to Hush Asser Levy Critics [NY Daily News]
Coney's Potato Chip Amphitheater Revealed [Brownstoner]
Community Concerns About Marty's Coney Concert Space [Brownstoner]

May 18, 2009

Brooklyn Bridge Park Gets Some Trees

The first batch of trees—including Honeylocusts, Magnolias, Lindens, Catalpas, Serviceberries, Sweetgums, London Planes, and several species of Oaks—arrived at Brooklyn Bridge Park last week. According to a press release, the trees will temporarily reside on the Pier 3 uplands while they await their final resting grounds at Piers 1 and 6, both of which are scheduled to open by the end of the year.

May 14, 2009

Jane's Carousel Bound for Brooklyn Bridge Park

Not sure how we missed this, but the Brooklyn Eagle reported on Monday that, after years of discussions, the vintage carousel that Jane Walentas restored by hand and that more recently has been housed in a cramped storefront on Water Street will get its day in the park. Brooklyn Bridge Park, that is. While no official announcement has been forthcoming yet, The Eagle says that Jane's Carousel will be located on the western shore of the cove in front of the Tobacco Warehouse (a stone's throw from the new Brooklyn Flea location) and be housed in a glass structure designed by the starchitect Jean Nouvel.
Jane’s Carousel Reportedly Finds a New Home [Brooklyn Eagle]

May 11, 2009

Shredders Coming to Squibb?

Instead of a bridge, Squibb Park may be getting a ramp. Make that several ramps. According to this week's print edition of the Brooklyn Heights Courier, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe hopes to build a "modest" skate boarding area within the now-shuttered playground that sits below Columbia Heights at the northern end of Brooklyn Heights. (Last week it was announced that budget cuts would result in a planned bridge linking Squibb with Brooklyn Bridge Park not getting built.) "We got some great parks in Brooklyn Heights for younger kids and they are packed, but there's no place for older kids, the eight- to 12-year-olds," Benepe said. "It could be a great place for the older kids with small skateboard feature in it." Think this is a good idea?
Photo by jackszwergold

Prospect Park Vigilante Wages Canine Campaign

Off-leash dogs have driven one frequenter of Prospect Park cuckoo. According to a NY Post story yesterday, Orrin Tilevitz, merchant banker and ardent birder, has been waging a war against dog owners who let their dogs run free, blowing the whistle on them to the cops and posting videos of their off-leash carousing on his anti-dog blog. While plenty of people wish dog owners would keep better control of their dogs, a traumatic attack seems to have turned Tilevitz into something of an anti-dog zealot. According to one source in The Post story, Tilevitz routinely carries pepper spray around with him and recently used in on two dogs. The major problem seems to be, according to a blog post by Tilevitz on Committee for Responsible Dog Ownership, "The presence of unleashed dogs interferes with--prevents--our ability--and right--to watch birds." One of Tilevitz's trademark "gotcha" videos in embedded in the post.
Vigilante Unleashes Dogs of War [NY Post]
Photo by rlj

May 8, 2009

Squibb Bridge Axed from Brooklyn Bridge Park Budget

As part of Mayor Bloomberg's new city budget, Brooklyn Bridge Park is losing $8 million from its budget, reported the Brooklyn Paper yesterday. In addition to reducing some landscaping in the project, the most direct impact will be felt in the loss of the foot bridge that was to connect the long-closed Squibb Park on Columbia Heights to Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park (which is scheduled to be open by the end of this year). While Judi Francis of the Brooklyn Heights Association lamented the lost connection to the Heights, Councilman Yassky looked on the bright side when he said, "While the situation is not ideal, given the severe economic downturn, we are fortunate that further cuts for Brooklyn Bridge Park were not recommended."
It’s a ‘Squibb’ Kick in Brooklyn Heights [Brooklyn Paper]
Photo by emma t.

May 6, 2009

Walt Whitman Park Slated for Renovation

The long-ignored green space between the city's Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Courthouse on Cadman Plaza East known as Walt Whitman Park is due to get a big make-over next year. According to a statement by Parks Commish Adrian Benepe at yesterday's Brooklyn Real Estate Roundtable, a $4.5 million renovation, which will include the addition of an "ornamental fountain," is set to begin next winter. (The Brooklyn Paper had a mention of this reno last year.) Nice!

April 29, 2009

Cherry Blossoms Galore in Green-Wood

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden isn't the only public space in Brooklyn for enjoying the early-blooming cherry blossoms this year: Green-Wood Cemetery sent out an e-blast yesterday touting the particularly scenic landscape at the 478-acre spread. Not only that, but admission is free every day! Call 718.768.7300 for more info.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Movie Schedule Announced

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy yesterday announced the line-up for its 2009 Movies With A View summer season—a program we're proud to be a media sponsor of. The weekly series takes place on Thursday nights from July 9 to August 27. We've posted the full schedule on the jump, but some highlights include The Maltese Falcon, The Return of the Pink Panther and Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid. In addition, each feature film will be preceded by a short and a DJ set.
Movies With A View 10th Year! [BBPC]
Photo by Amazin' Jane

Continue reading "Brooklyn Bridge Park Movie Schedule Announced"

April 28, 2009

Brooklyn Flea Expanding to Brooklyn Bridge Park!

The press release from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation went out less than an hour ago announcing the news that the Brooklyn Flea will take up a Sunday residency underneath the Brooklyn Bridge starting June 14. (The Flea will continue in its original Fort Greene location on Saturdays through November and the indoor pop-up Fleas in Dumbo will continue through the end of May.) Needless to say, we're over the moon about this: After all, if you're called the Brooklyn Flea, it's hard to imagine a more iconic location than right under the most famous bridge in the world. We'll have more details about the vendor mix, new offerings etc. in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please take a gander at the press release (below and on the Brooklyn Bridge Park Facebook page) that has everyone from BBPDC's Regina Myer to ESD's Marisa Lago to DOT's Janette Sadik-Kahn to Parks' Adrian Benepe cheering the activation of this scenic public space. It's Flea time, baby!

Continue reading "Brooklyn Flea Expanding to Brooklyn Bridge Park!"

April 21, 2009

Hard Times In Store for Coney Island?

As the future of Coney Island hangs in the balance, they city is talking about taking concrete steps to address one of the pieces it actually controls--the boardwalk. The city is toying around with three options to replace the tropical hard wood that has made up the boardwalk for the last 86years, reports The Post. And while it's considering both plastic and hardwood planks, word is that concrete is the odds-on favorite. "A full concrete boardwalk is the best way to go from a cost-benefit perspective," said Liam Kavanagh, the first deputy commissioner of the city's Parks Department. "It lasts 40 years with little maintenance -- about twice as long as wood." The idea isn't sitting well with some: "Why don't they just call it a sidewalk, if they're going to do it in concrete?" said Dennis Thomas of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club. "There'll be a huge loss of character." Others though buy the practicality argument. "I'd rather see anything than the boardwalk falling apart," said Anthony Berlingieri, who owns Beer Island and Shoot the Freak.
Poured Walk [NY Post]
Photo by ecallender

April 16, 2009

The Fight for Prospect Park's Roads

When new driving restrictions in Prospect Park go into effect on April 27, CB 7 won't be cheering. The board started making noise last year when the plan was floated, agitating for an Environmental Impact Study before any changes were made. Now, according to the Brooklyn Paper, it's a matter of pride: "No one was contacted on this before it was a done deal," said CB7 District Manager Jeremy Laufer. Opponents fear that Park Circle will be overwhelmed by the rerouted cars, a charge both DOT and TA pooh-pooh.

April 15, 2009

Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 Update

There's been lots of activity at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park recently. The trenches for the storm water tank have been dug, hence the large mounds of dirt. There's also been additional excavation going on to make way for utilities and other drainage structures. Meanwhile, down at Pier 1, the storm water tanks are already in place.

April 13, 2009

Closing Bell: Help Create a Butterfly Garden in Carroll Park

PMFA has all the details for the transformation. Friends Of Carroll Park would like to transform this corner of Carroll Park in Carroll Gardens into a butterfly garden but they need the community's help. The weekend of April 18th and 19th will focus on the planning and marking out of beds and paths in the garden. On May 2nd, the planting will take place. Tools are provided so all that is needed is your hard work to make this happen.

April 6, 2009

Closing Bell: Woodstock 40th Anniversary at Prospect Park?

Yes, this could really happen. NY Daily News reports that Michael Lang, who helped put on the famous 1969 festival, is hoping to put on a Woodstock 40th anniversary concert in Prospect Park's Long Meadow this summer. However, he needs to find $8 million to $10 million to pay for it by the end of the month. The event would be billed as a throwback to the original with bands like Crosby, Stills and Nash and Dave Matthews Band (different from the '99 fiasco). Do you think this is a good idea? Would you go?
Photo by FlySi.

April 3, 2009

Coney's Potato Chip Amphitheater Revealed

The Architects Newspaper is out this week with some new renderings from Grimshaw Architects of the Coney Island Amphitheater slated for Asser Levy Park. The 8,000-seat theatre has been a priority for Brooklyn Borough President since he announced it in 2007. “Replacing Asser Levy’s antiquated band shell with a state-of-the-art one will ensure that free community programming—it was used for 45 different community events last year—remains in Coney Island,” the beep said through a spokesperson. “Moreover, it will be a key component of a revitalized Coney Island for the community and visitors in the days ahead.” The hallmark of the new theater's design is its "potato chip" roof. “It’s like a bicycle wheel with a massive steel rim and a ring at the middle for a hub,” said Grimshaw partner Mark Husser. The $47 million project is still on track to start construction after this summer's concert series ends.
Coney's New Big Top [Architect's Newspaper]
Coney Island's New Concert Venue [Curbed]
Community Concerns About Marty's Coney Concert Space [Brownstoner]
An Amphitheater for Coney Island? [Brownstoner]

March 26, 2009

Turf's Down at Slope Park

Parks Dept. workers have been busy revamping a large section of the Slope's Washington Park (formerly J.J. Byrne) that, when all's said and done, will have a large artificial turf field. Although a lot of the turf has been laid, the field isn't scheduled to be complete until September. As of right now, a ribbon cutting is scheduled for late August, and a ball game to inaugurate the space is planned for September 13th. The new field is part of a long-term plan to renovate much of the park.
Extreme Makeover Planned for J.J. Byrne Park GMAP

Parks