Forum
« Rental Prices? Nothing to see here »
March 11, 2009
owls' head park
How safe is the area around owls' head park? (Bay Ridge)? I absolutely love the area, and we are seriously considering buying a house there.
I've been to the park in the morning and during the day -- seems safe. Crime stats look ok.
However, I just had a conversation with family friend who says the park becomes gang playground at night. I'll be driving there myself to check it out tonight, but tonight may not be representative..
Comments
Having lived in Bay Ridge most of my life (lived on Bliss Terrace right off the park for a bit), I can tell you that it is one of the safest parts of the city. Additionally I have never seen any instance of "gang" activity anywhere in Bay Ridge ever. A couple of teenagers drinking malt liquor on a bench at 11pm does not constitute a gang it's more of a part of growing up in Brooklyn and they usually are so paranoid of cops they keep pretty quiet and don't bother anyone. I also walk my dog late at night through the parks and have never felt unsafe, though I certainly wouldn't want my wife to walk through their on her own at night or any park in the city for that matter. Good luck with your home search!
Posted by: Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy at March 11, 2009 3:29 PM
We moved to Bay Ridge 3 years ago and enjoy Owl Head Park quite often. I've never seen any gang activity there. I've driven by there at night and neve noticed anything strange. Its great park with a skate board park and a big fontain park for the kids to play in during the hot summer days.
We also purchased a home here and we really love the fact that there are lots of parks in the nabe.
Posted by: italiana71 at March 11, 2009 4:49 PM
I went there once with CYO Day Camp in 1974 and it seemed just fine.
Posted by: fexleycb at March 11, 2009 5:16 PM
it is pretty safe. And these are not "gangs". Just a few Arab kids, dressed up like Latino gangsters. They are harmless.
Posted by: bobjohn at March 11, 2009 6:16 PM
Man did I have fun snowboarding there two years ago after a big storm. Good times.
Posted by: southslope at March 11, 2009 6:25 PM
Fexlecb - a one time visit 35 years ago!!
Now that's some concrete information that would convice me to move there!
Posted by: SenatorStreet at March 11, 2009 6:32 PM
bobjohn: the house we are looking at faces the park. How loud or rowdy do those kids get?
SenatorStreet: do you feel safe there?
The houses in the area don't seem to have iron bars on the windows, which I take to be a good sign. And the park is amazing.
Posted by: _oa_ at March 11, 2009 6:47 PM
Yes the park also has some great sleigh riding/ snowboarding when it snows.
My friend lives on one of the side streets off of the park and I've never heard her complain about roudyness. But a good bet would be to drive there at night.
But as I said before when we used to drive around at night trying to get our kids to sleep in the car, I never noticed any hooligans hanging around.
Posted by: italiana71 at March 11, 2009 7:30 PM
Obviously I live in Bay Ridge however I live on the other end; 90’s and Shore.
I can’t tell you what living across the street from Owl’s Head Park is like, but it is a great park and the surrounding area is lovely with nice homes.
I’ve never heard about gang activity in Bay Ridge. It’s a very safe neighborhood. I come home very late every night and I always feel safe walking the streets.
If I were you, I’d visit the area at all hours of the day / night, during the week and on the weekend. Hang around the block you’re buying the house on and talk to people that live on that street. Don’t forget that a park is used more in the summer than the winter so ask about the area in the summertime.
Good luck
Posted by: bayridgegirl at March 11, 2009 7:49 PM
I live 2 blocks away from the park and am rarely there on foot at night (although we drive by at all hours of the day and night and have never seen anything to make me believe that they have any problems there).
BTW I am also a community board member and as such have not heard of any complaints of goings on in the park.
We love the area and find it to be quite safe. Be forewarned with the economy in the toilet crime always increases all over.
PS we are in the middle of a refinance and the house just appraised for a shitload of money - very stable area.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at March 11, 2009 7:56 PM
Folks, thank you so much for all the comments! This is very helpful.
I went to the park tonight. Nice and quiet at 10 pm on Wednesday night. No broken bottles on the ground, no graffiti. No gangs in sight. I will come back on Saturday night as well to check it out further.
Now, a different question: how bad is the smell from the sewer plant? It did not smell today or during my other visits, but there are some pretty strong articles on the web about last summer's stench.
Posted by: _oa_ at March 11, 2009 11:48 PM
you prolly see just a few kids. Not so many and they are quiet. The might ware some silly baseball caps, but it does not mean much. I did not notice any graffiti around ether.
You also can walk around park and look for tall-tales of bad places (bottles, dime-bags, needles). I do not think you will find much.
try to park car at night (when weather is warm) and look at the park - it is pretty quiet.
Posted by: bobjohn at March 12, 2009 9:24 AM
btw - Owl's Head Park was the private property of the Bliss family in the mid 1800's. On that property was a Mansion, horse stable and a tower.
In the early 1900's it was sold to the city on condition that it be used as a park. Obviously the structures were demolished because they're not there.
Would love to see photos of the house that once stood on that property.
Posted by: bayridgegirl at March 12, 2009 10:43 AM
Bay Ridge Girl, if you go to the parks and enter the gate located between the swing sets and the water fountains, you'll see a bulletin board with a photo of the the mansion that stood on the ground.
But I will warn you that it is heartbreaking. I know you like old structurs like me. It reminded me of litchfield villa in Prospect Park. Except we don't have it now!!!! It was a beautiful home.
Posted by: italiana71 at March 12, 2009 12:16 PM
Thanks Italian. Will check it out.
I did a quick search for it on-line and found this.
http://www.brooklynrowhouse.com/bay_ridge
They have a photo of the hosue and the tower...That is gorgeous. Never seen it before and I've looked at alot of old photos of Bay Ridge.
I'm going to do some more digging. If I find any cool photos. I'll share them.
Posted by: bayridgegirl at March 12, 2009 7:37 PM
I love the park and the homes around there.
What school is it zoned for - PS 102?
Every Halloween they host a really fun festival for the kids. I think they sometimes have a winter event also.
I've heard of quiet drug user activity, late at night, maybe deeper into the park away from the homes.
You're at the start of the bike path and the pier, a few blocks from a great bar - Three Jolly Pigeons and The Family Store - awesome middle eastern take out food. Oh, and Casa Pepe too.
Posted by: HmmWhichNeighborhood at March 13, 2009 3:36 PM
Gangs in Bay Ridge? I've never seen a thug in the Rigde let alone a gang!
Posted by: LoR at March 13, 2009 4:32 PM
You know, nobody addressed your question about the sewer plant. Some days I smell, it some days I don't. But I have to tell you that I haven't smelled in some months, either because its winter or there has been a big movement to stop the smell by the residents. I know they have been taking some action, as I have read it in the papers. But talk to the people where you are looking to buy because I know some people don't smell it at all.
Posted by: italiana71 at March 13, 2009 5:00 PM
I have lived on Bliss Terrace for almost 20 years. I have walked my dog in Owl's Head Park for the last 10 years, day and night. I have had no problem with gangs or crime, ever.
The park gets crowded on summer Sundays, but that's a good thing. The Parks Department crew keeps it pretty clean also. There are a lot of dog walkers in the area and they help keep it safe. although some don't clean up like they should.
BTW, the entrance to the park at the corner of Colonial Road and 68th Street is decorated with the original iron gates from the Jacob Bliss estate. Look for the 'JB' crest.
As far as the Sewage Treatment Plant, it is a lot better now then when I first moved in. I have to call EPA a couple of times a year, but they are responsive.
Posted by: marty362 at March 13, 2009 6:35 PM
Italiana, Marty, thank you for the smell info! I guess this is going to be something we need to think about. The brooklyn eagle did use some pretty strong adjectives to describe it (gagging and nauseating come to mind).
On the other hand it may not be a big deal if it only happens once or twice a year.
I'll have to check out the park gates when I am there on Saturday.
Posted by: _oa_ at March 13, 2009 7:41 PM
marty362: Correction: "Eliphalet Bliss" and EB on the gate.
See:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=151
for information about the estate (and a link to info about the park).
Posted by: SenatorStreet at March 15, 2009 9:16 AM
_oa_ --> re the odors: sometimes there is a problem. The plant and the city are currently in the process of covering the "digesters" -- the main source of the problem.
As with any city contract, this is a slow process. I believe that it is scheduled for completion in a year or so.
Call the local community board and ask them about the plant issues. They are very helpful. CB-10: (718) 745-6827.
Posted by: SenatorStreet at March 15, 2009 9:20 AM
SenatorStreet: thank you for info!
Posted by: _oa_ at March 17, 2009 6:05 PM
I made a supernatural short film at Owls Head Park. Amazing set for my movie, spooky in the rear of the park.
destinyschildmovie.com
Watch it on youtube.com
Posted by: anthonycap at November 10, 2009 8:49 PM
Post a comment
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.