Category Archives: Public Space

Park Avenue Safety Plan – Release and Kickoff Event

Thanks to everyone who came out yesterday to support efforts to make Park Avenue safer for pedestrians! We had a great crowd help to mark the release of the Park Avenue Pedestrian Safety Plan, including a class of students from Banneker, community leaders from Ingersoll and Whitman, block captains, Architecture for Humanity NY, Transportation Alternatives, Councilmember James and Assemblymember Lentol, and others representing local elected officials.

Press was there, too, and there’s already been some buzz in the blogosphere about the initiative, including this piece on Brownstoner and this one on Streetsblog.

If you haven’t yet, please sign the petition, and share it with your neighbors and friends! We’ll keep you posted on progress as we share the report with city agencies and decision makers. Stay tuned!

photo: A high school student from Banneker monitors speeding traffic on Park Avenue with a speed gun.

Make Park Avenue Safer for Pedestrians! View the report, tour the site and sign the petition!

There are approximately 12,000 residents living just north or south of Park Avenue between Navy and Steuben, as well as six schools, three parks, numerous retail and light-industrial businesses, and churches. Despite this residential profile, Park Avenue is dominated by four lanes of fast-moving traffic bracketing a 300+ space parking area. Speeding traffic has created environmental, travel and sanitation conditions that are unsafe for the many school children, seniors, bus riders and others residents that use the avenue daily. North-south crossings are difficult throughout the site, people are unable to cross during one traffic light cycle, and there is a high car accident rate (76th percentile!).

MARP collaborated with Architecture for Humanity NY to develop the Park Avenue Pedestrian Safety Plan, a set of proposals to improve pedestrian safety and calm vehicular traffic on Brooklyn’s Park Avenue between Navy and Steuben Streets, creating a safer neighborhood corridor for residents and visitors. Join us for a brief site tour on Monday, September 10th at 2pm, beginning on Park Avenue at St. Edwards Street to highlight site issues, discuss the proposals, and measure vehicle speeds along with Councilmember Letitia James, State Committee Member Lincoln Restler, Transportation Alternatives, and members of the project’s Advisory Committee.

This plan recommends interventions like adding crosswalks along the ‘superblock’ from Navy to North Portland, where there are no safe, controlled crossings for four blocks – an area that includes Commodore Barry Park, Ingersoll Houses, Navy Yard Houses and multiple schools. Many other recommendations are simple, but carefully tailored to remedy each block’s issues, like bumpouts to shorten pedestrian crossings, lighting, signage, and re-timed traffic lights to slow traffic.

Sign the petition!
We’ve communicated with various agencies throughout the process, but it is important that we continue to show broad-based support for making these improvements as soon as possible. Sign the online petition at www.ParkAvenueSafetyProject.org to continue to build community support for improving pedestrian safety on Park Avenue, and share the link with your neighbors!

The proposals were developed through information gathered at six public meetings, site surveys, and research, with guidance from Community Board 2 and an Advisory Committee made up of representatives from local block associations, tenants associations, residential developments, community-based organizations, city agencies and other stakeholders. Download the full report here.

Many Ideas for Improving Park Avenue Safety

Over 50 people were in attendance at last night's Park Avenue Safety Workshop. Everyone had a lot to say about which blocks and which intersections on Park Avenue along the BQE were the least safe, and even more to say about how the city could make improvements. Attendees split into 5 different groups, representing 5 different geographic areas of Park Avenue from west to east, so participants were able to discuss the very specific issues and challenges affecting each block and how to make them safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

The goal of this workshop was to identify, prioritize, and locate specific enhancements that will improve pedestrian safety and calm vehicular traffic on Park Avenue between Navy Street and Steuben Street. Given the number of students that are crossing Park to and from school, and the number of residents that are living on Park or adjacent to it, improving safety needs to be prioritized by city agencies.

This workshop was the first step in creating a community-based plan that can be used to advocate for important changes, both short-term and long-term. A special thanks to Architecture for Humanity New York for putting in countless hours to prepare for and facilitate the workshop, and to now help pull together everyone's ideas into the makings of a draft plan.

Stay tuned for the scheduling of additional meetings where these preliminary findings and ideas will be presented.

Help improve pedestrian safety on Park Avenue! TODAY

Have you ever tried to cross Park Avenue in Fort Greene or Clinton Hill? If so, you may have walked for blocks to find a safe crossing, or maybe you just decided to dodge speeding traffic. We're sure you've though to yourself, 'shouldn't this street be safer for pedestrians?' Well, we agree. It should be safer!

We've held three previous workshops about the area under and around the elevated BQE in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, and safety was the primary concern at each of them. Have something to share about safety on Park Avenue? Join your neighbors at this workshop!

Park Avenue Pedestrian Safety Workshop
Thursday, November 3rd
6-8:30pm
Benjamin Banneker Academy (71-77 Clinton Avenue @ Park)

The goal of this workshop is to identify, prioritize, and locate specific enhancements that will improve pedestrian safety and calm vehicular traffic on Park Avenue between Navy Street and Steuben Street. Given the number of students that are crossing Park to and from school, and the number of residents that are living on Park or adjacent to it, we feel that improving safety should be prioritized by city agencies. This workshop is the first step in creating a community-based plan that we can use to advocate for important changes, both short-term and long-term. Architecture for Humanity will be assisting with workshop facilitation and development of the plan.

Hope you can make it! Email dan@myrtleavenue.org or call 718-230-1689 if you have any questions. Download the workshop flyer here.

"Soundwaves" Under the BQE – This Weekend!

Please join us on Sunday, October 16th to dedicate and celebrate Soundwaves, a mural created by artist Ellie Balk and 75+ community volunteers.

At 3:30pm, we'll be at the mural (Park Avenue near Steuben under the BQE) to dedicate it and officially 'cut the ribbon'. Pianist Samantha Bassler (one of the ten pianists whose hands Ellie traced for the design) will be on site playing Moolight Sonata on her keyboard! Afterward, join us
at The Emerson at 4:30pm (561 Myrtle) to toast and celebrate this wonderful project! Contact meredith@myrtleavenue.org for more information.

Special thanks to the NYS Department of Transportation for their cooperation in this project.

Paint a mural under the BQE with artist, Ellie Balk

Inspired by the sounds and line of the elevated highway, artist Ellie Balk has designed a musical landscape called “Soundwaves” that will be painted on the large wall on Park Avenue under the BQE, near Steuben Street in Clinton Hill. The artist has collaborated with over 10 pianists who live close to the BQE, by drawing the distance between their hands as they play Beethovens Moonlight Sonata. These sound waves will be layered to create an orchestra of lines, reflecting a landscape. It is even possible for the mural to be interpreted by musicians and played back for the community! The photo above includes a rendering of the proposed mural.

Get Involved! Pick up a brush and join us!
This project is meant to be a community public art project and will be created almost entirely by volunteers, so grab your neighbors and help us paint! Painting will take place from 11am-5pm on Saturday, September 17 – Friday, September 30 (except for Thursday, September 22 and Thursday, September 29). Sign up for shifts at at VolunteerSpot.com, or by reaching out to Meredith at meredith@myrtleavenue.org or 718-230-1689. Here are some other ways you can help:
– Organize a group from your organization or civic group to do a volunteer shift as a team
– Bring a group of students (ages 8+) on a field trip to participate for a shift
– Spread the word to your neighbors and friends, and get them to sign up too!
– Contact Ellie Balk at elliebalk@gmail.com or at 718-930-7177, or meredith@myrtleavenue.org to find out more about volunteering

Artist Statement:
When Robert Moses drew his proposed route for the BQE, he drew a line on a map. This line was developed by his engineers into highway infrastructure that cleared block after block, displacing residents and dividing once unified communities. Residents living near this stretch of highway are confronted by the continuous cycle of the sound of bustling traffic. One resident told me, With the windows open you can hear the traffic, but at night it is kind of calming. Sounds a little bit like the ocean. Visual interpretations of sound are at the center of the meaning of this mural. My goal for Soundwaves is to bring some life to this space and to honor and celebrate the community directly affected by the existence of the BQE. This mural will allow residents to see something beautiful and bright and to be inspired to hear the sounds of the highway in a new way.

This project is supported by the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project, with support from an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Funk under the BQE – TODAY, 6/24!

Just a friendly reminder not to miss “Fund Under the BQE” with High and Mighty Brass Band this Friday, 6pm at Park and Washington Avenues in Clinton Hill (across from Fresh Fanatic)!

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Our friends at Sing for Hope placed a baby grand under the BQE at Park and Washington this week as part of their “Pop-Up Pianos” project, which seems like a good enough reason to throw a party to us! We've invited High and Mighty Brass Band to bring their New Orleans-style funk and R&B, the folks from Do Tank Brooklyn will be working their public space magic to create a temporary viewing area, and Fresh Fanatic will bring out some tasty snacks. Bring the whole family – we'll have some hula hoops and street chalk on hand for the kiddos. You won't want to miss it. This might be the most fun anyone has ever had under the BQE. Here's the scoop:

Friday, June 24th
6-8pm
Under the BQE @ Park and Washington Avenue (Clinton Hill)
Email meredith@myrtleavenue.org for more info.

Funk under the BQE? A grand piano under the BQE? Yup!

Our friends at Sing for Hope placed a baby grand under the BQE at Park and Washington this week as part of their “Pop-Up Pianos” project, which seems like a good enough reason to throw a party to us! We've invited High and Mighty Brass Band to bring their New Orleans-style funk and R&B, the folks from Do Tank Brooklyn will be working their public space magic to create a temporary viewing area, and Fresh Fanatic will bring out some tasty snacks. Bring the whole family – we'll have some hula hoops and street chalk on hand for the kiddos. You won't want to miss it. This might be the most fun anyone has ever had under the BQE. Here's the scoop:

Friday, June 24th
6-8pm
Under the BQE @ Park and Washington Avenue (Clinton Hill)
Email meredith@myrtleavenue.org for more info.

Coming soon to Fort Greene Park – Goats!

Well, not ACTUAL goats, but three sculptures created by artist Ruth McKerrell, the recipient of the first Clare Weiss Emerging Artist Award from the NYC Parks Department.
McKerrell's pieces, Ancient, Goatie Boy and Goat as Wolf, will be installed at the northeast corner of Fort Greene Park (Myrtle and Washington Park) from June 2011  June 2012. She's out there today beginning to install the cement bases for the pieces – stop by and say hello!

A ribbon-cutting will take place at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at the installation site, and you are welcome to join us. Come out to attend the artist reception on Thursday, June 9th from 6-8pm at Chez Lola (387 Myrtle Avenue). We'll meet at the installation at site at 6pm, and continue to Chez Lola for light refreshments. Both events are free and open to the public. Please RSVP to meredith@myrtleavenue.org for this opening reception.

Clare Weiss was Parkss curator of public art from 2005 to 2009, when she passed away. Clare was special to us here at MARP, as she closely advised us during the launch of our public art program in 2008 with the Tree Hugger Project installation. This years inaugural exhibition was made possible through generous support by the friends of Clare Weiss and our own Myrtle Public Art Program.We're thrilled to host the inaugural installation made in her honor here on the avenue.

Stay tuned for information about upcoming public art projects on Myrtle:
Myrtle Windows Gallery (June 17-July 8)  Curator in residence, Christina Vassallo, presents works that evoke patterns and their place within systems
Make Music NY (June 21)  a full day of performances at 12+ locations on the avenue
Sing for Hope (June 18  July 2)  Pianos at Fort Greene Park and under the BQE at Park/Washington for two weeks, free for all to play
Myrtle Tree Guard Panel Designs (summer)  Well debut 40 new tree guards that incorporate the designs of local artists and designers

The Myrtle Public Art Program is supported by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, and by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council, Inc. (BAC)

Community ideas for BQE spaces

We had a great turnout last night at PS 67, with over 50 residents, community leaders and stakeholders coming together to talk about the spaces under the BQE. Through a series of activities and discussions led by Pratt Urban Planning students, attendees talked about maintaining free and convenient parking for residents, traffic and pedestrian safety concerns, ideas for greening and much more. The Pratt students are compiling ideas from this and past community workshops along with site research and will present findings to MARP and the community at the end of the semester. Stay tuned for more info on upcoming workshops and events about the BQE! If you'd like to be added to the BQE mailing list, send your contact info to info@myrtleavenue.org.

Workshopping the spaces under the BQE > 10/26 @ PS 67

Have you ever walked along Park Avenue under the BQE in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill and thought, This would be a great space for ____________, or _______ would really improve this area? Share your ideas for creative permanent and temporary uses and physical improvements for these spaces at the:

Envisioning Under the BQE community workshop
Tuesday, October 26th
5:30pm  7:30pm
PS 67 on St. Edwards between Myrtle and Park

Please RSVP to Meredith@myrtleavenue.org or at 718-230-1689 by October 22nd. Light refreshments will be provided. The workshop is hosted by the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project and students from Pratts Urban Planning program.

Park(ing) Day 2010: @ Gray's, Gnarly & Under the BQE

Park(ing) Day has become a tradition here on Myrtle Avenue (thanks to ReBar for the concept and Transportation Alternatives on being a good NYC point org). There will be two Parks on Myrtle and an after party under the BQE (Washington & Park Avenue) on Friday, 9/17.

Come out, Come out…and enjoy!

Here's what's up:

Gnarly Vines Park is all about F-U-N: inside the store: great music and wine tastings with discounts on features wines. Outside will be face painters, street games, including sidewalk chalk and yummy snacks. Here's more from GV: “starting at noon there will be face painting and sidewalk chalk for the kids and wine tasting for parents. Adults unaccompanied by children can let loose their inner kid on the sidewalk and join the grown-ups for a taste of wine after!”

Grays Studio Caf

Park(ing) Day After Party – Under the BQE

Come join us and the Design Trust for Public Space for one of their monthly Public Space Potlucks, this one hosted under the BQE at Washington and Park Avenues. As part of Park(ing) Day, a global day which reclaims parking spaces citywide for other uses, we are working with a great group of collaborating organizations to transform part of the parking area into a dinner party. We will be creating a giant communal dinner table made from recycled wooden pallets from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and showcasing the days Park(ing) Day spaces.

BQE BYO
Friday, September 17
6:30-8:30pm
Corner of Washington Avenue and Park Avenue
Under the BQE

For this potluck-
BYO Food to share!
BYO Table centerpiece to decorate!
BYO Musical instruments to entertain!
BYO Games to play!
BYO Park(ing) space if you are creating one during the day!
BYO Friends!!!

RSVP via the Facebook event.

(Directions: C or G Train to Clinton Washington stop, walk north to Washington and Park)

This event is being organized in partnership with Architecture for Humanity NY, Do Tank Brooklyn, Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Design Trust for Public Space, and Transportation Alternatives.

This dinner is part of an effort to bring temporary programming to the spaces under the BQE. MARP has been working with the community to generate ideas for how this space can be improved for the entire community, to create a space that is cleaner, safer, greener, more active, and that helps to reconnect the areas to the north and south of the BQE. To see drawings and photos of ideas submitted by past workshop attendees, visit here. And stay tuned for future opportunities to help plan the future of this space.

Meet Me Under the BQE

It was surprisingly cool under the BQE on our first 80 degree day, as over 75 people turned out for our first workshop looking at creative uses for the space beneath the BQE. The Spacebuster, our temporary inflatable home, played a perfect host for the community gathering, and attracted area residents and curious passersby.

Browse the photos below, and check back soon for a compilation of ideas from the workshop.

Update: here are some conceptual drawings from workshop attendees:

…and some birds-eye views of the site: