Living in Crown Heights
Crown Heights gets the New York Times’ Living In treatment this weekend, along with a lead photo of the racial diversity on display at the popular watering hole Franklin Park. Since most of us are familiar enough with the area, we can dispense with the basics and cut straight to the controversy. The article mentions…
Crown Heights gets the New York Times’ Living In treatment this weekend, along with a lead photo of the racial diversity on display at the popular watering hole Franklin Park. Since most of us are familiar enough with the area, we can dispense with the basics and cut straight to the controversy. The article mentions a pair of couples that are in contract to buy a house together on Sterling Place. Here’s some of the rationale:
In the two couples’ eyes, attractions included ethnic diversity and affordability, and — in contrast with other possibilities, like Bedford-Stuyvesant — relative greenness. As Ms. Kelly put it, There were just a lot of trees around, and a lot of families, and a lot of walking space.
Diss! Our question is: Which of the two neighborhoods has one the Greenest Block honors more? Anyone know?
Living In: Crown Heights [Brownstoner]
Photo by nrvlowdown
quote:
I really don’t like these types of articles. They grate my nerves in a way I can’t really explain.
totally with you on that.
*rob*
Here I am in Asia and I come on this article about my boyhood neighborhood, Crown Heights!
Actually, the Times’ shot of the “hipsters” in their boite reminds me of my parents’ gatherings with friends, back in the day when artists and writers in their thirties — a slightly older cohert than the one pictured — were called “bohemians.”
There weren’t bars in Crown Heights for that crowd; the Village was still the center for public socializing, the Cedar Tavern for artists, Chumley’s and the White Horse Tavern for writers. But in Crown Heights’ apartments and brownstones there were plenty of parties, were a multi-racial and international group held readings, exhibitions and cocktail and dinner parties and discussed art trends, politics and culture.
Pretty heady stuff for a little kid accompanying his parents on their afternoons and nights out.
Yes, kids were welcome, because in the 1950s progressives treated their children like small adults. The only thing we were weren’t allowed to do was drink. Chat up a writer or painter, fine. Pour a coke or ginger ale into a wine glass fine. Nibble on exotic canapes, fine.
My favorite times were when my parents held readings at our place. Long, liesurely afternoons. The French windows open to the street. My pals’ voices from a stickball game mixing with those of the guest playwright or poet. Did I understand the speakers’ themes? Of course not. But to this day I can remember the sounds of their words.
Nostalgic on Park Avenue
Babs- ive never been to brower park, i am now intrigued to check it out…
I really don’t like these types of articles. They grate my nerves in a way I can’t really explain.
I also hope the influx of this type doesn’t pick up. I’m looking to buy in Crown Heights now and I would really like prices to keep where they are (I’m ok with them dropping a little bit).
Prospet Park really isn’t next door to Crown Heights – PLG yes, but Crown Heights North (the focus of this article) is the other side of Eastern Parkway – and by green I think they mean the many lovely tree-lined blocks and Brower Park, which is a little jewel.
I believe that both commercial and residential owners are responsible for keeping the sidewalk in front of their property clear and free of litter and debris – and that includes raking leaves and shoveling snow – welcome to the joys of homeownership.
I make sure that a neighborhood has the proper level of diversity in its flora and fauna before I will seriously consider it. I want to make sure it gets a good write-up from the New York Times.
i was talking about this article with a friend this weekend. we love franklin park, but it’s the only CH watering hole/hip place they seem to mention these days anymore (is it the only one? and is it the only “hip” place they have to offer?)
there’s nothing in CH south/PLG area comparable to franklin park, my guess, due to it’s “distance” to prospect heights. Franklin Park does get a lot of PH folks.
as far as green space: yes it’s nice to have trees on your street, but i assume the article refers to prospect park next door. i myself prefer to have a park next door to my place and no trees on my street, than to have trees on my street and no park to bike/run close to me.
Most of the leaves un Bed Stuy blow away…mostly south to Crown heights.