a series of skateboard ramps would be cool - the skate shop on Park Place sets up ramps for kids sometimes, but they aren't permanent.
Also, some green space with picnic benches would be great - there are a lot of great take-out options in the neighborhood, so to have a place to eat the food that is outdoors and social would be nice too. Although, the trains get a bit noisy.
Hello Everyone! Thank you for being the first in comment in this space!
Liz: The skateboard ramps seem like a great idea. I will try to talk to the people at the skate shop on Park Pl to collect their point of view. I agree with you there is great take out in the neighborhood, but no outdoors space to eat during the Summer.
Smeghead: Today I spoke with Crow Hill Community Association's Go Green Committee ---which has first hand experience with gardens in the community-- to talk about the idea of growing vegetables in the lot between St Marks and Prospect Pl. I've done simulations of shadow casting from buildings in one project in the past, perhaps a study of this kind could be a good idea for this project.
Anonymous: According to what I've found the land is co-owned by the city and by the MTA. In terms of maintaining the space. I believe that the MTA has already a budget to maintain the space because it is a fire hazard. So that is a source of founding that is already there. Another thing that I want to make clear is that at this point this project only attempts to collect and visualize the Crown Heights/Crow Hill community ideas towards public space. Once gathered and documented they can be presented to the local authorities perhaps looking towards a physical intervention on these spaces. At this point no proposal has been presented and no permit from the city nor the MTA has been granted to use these parcels as public space.
How about an outdoor community sculpture garden in one of the spaces? Also, since they are bordered by a wall--good place for two dimensional art as well.
There are already several community gardens in the neighborhood, but I think these parts could also use some plant life/trees. I also like the idea of benches and tables so people can stay and enjoy the garden, read, talk, do work, etc. Murals are also great! I hope one day we could set up a little farmer's market in one of the spaces.
I'm confused about the possibility of using this space given the extreme noise pollution from the shuttle train. Is it realistic that people would sit on benches there and eat lunch? Same question for the community garden idea. On the other hand, maybe skateboarders wouldn't care? (Or am I stereotyping youth?)
I think an artist should figure out a way to rig a kinetic sculpture on Park/Prospect Pl that could depend on magnets/wind/or a tap from the train to tell passersby which direction the shuttle is next expected from.
I live right next to one of these spaces and have often thought that something productive should be done with them, if for no other reason Prospect Park is close, but having some green than for easier access to the Shuttle.
I love the idea of a green space with benches (there are many other greenspaces close to traffic and/or trains that get lots of use). space so close by would really add something special to the neighborhood. And who wouldn't love a farmers or flea market so close by? I absolutely LOVE this idea!
I think that sculpture, murals and green could work well together. I loved the idea of an informative piece to know where the shuttle is coming from.
It seems that the noise from the shuttle is one of big the obstacles for all the programs that require spending good amounts of time in the spaces (having lunch on picnic tables and selling and buying on market stands) I will do research on sound barriers and see if there is something that can be proposed in this regard.
I am starting to leave some notebooks in some places in the neighborhood in case that some people feel more comfortable writing on a piece of paper than into an electronic blog.The first "what would you like in this space?" notebook is on the counter of the Jewish hospital laundry...just in case that some one comes across a great a idea while getting some laundry done. If you are a store/business owner in the neighborhood and want to host one of these notebooks please let me know. I will designate a space in the blog for your business logo or photo.
I know I already posted but I have another suggestion (maybe just for a small portion of the space(, DOG RUN!
There are so many dog owners in the area. I almost always run into someone from the block at Prospect Park, and I bet we would all like small a place more nearby.
There is a group of people in the Jewish hospital building that have turned a small parking area into an impromptu dog run. And, when I did the 'Tiny Urban Park', there was a lot of interest in it being used as dog run as well.
Urban farming, protection from the trains noise, a basketball court...?
ReplyDeletea series of skateboard ramps would be cool - the skate shop on Park Place sets up ramps for kids sometimes, but they aren't permanent.
ReplyDeleteAlso, some green space with picnic benches would be great - there are a lot of great take-out options in the neighborhood, so to have a place to eat the food that is outdoors and social would be nice too. Although, the trains get a bit noisy.
Community garden sounds awesome!!! Is there enough sunlight in the area?
ReplyDeleteWho are the stakeholders? Who owns this land? Why is it vacant? Who would maintain this space?
ReplyDeleteHello Everyone!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being the first in comment in this space!
Liz: The skateboard ramps seem like a great idea. I will try to talk to the people at the skate shop on Park Pl to collect their point of view. I agree with you there is great take out in the neighborhood, but no outdoors space to eat during the Summer.
Smeghead: Today I spoke with Crow Hill Community Association's Go Green Committee ---which has first hand experience with gardens in the community-- to talk about the idea of growing vegetables in the lot between St Marks and Prospect Pl. I've done simulations of shadow casting from buildings in one project in the past, perhaps a study of this kind could be a good idea for this project.
Anonymous: According to what I've found the land is co-owned by the city and by the MTA. In terms of maintaining the space. I believe that the MTA has already a budget to maintain the space because it is a fire hazard. So that is a source of founding that is already there.
Another thing that I want to make clear is that at this point this project only attempts to collect and visualize the Crown Heights/Crow Hill community ideas towards public space. Once gathered and documented they can be presented to the local authorities perhaps looking towards a physical intervention on these spaces.
At this point no proposal has been presented and no permit from the city nor the MTA has been granted to use these parcels as public space.
How about an outdoor community sculpture garden in one of the spaces? Also, since they are bordered by a wall--good place for two dimensional art as well.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see picnic benches and open green space, something this neighborhood is lacking.
ReplyDeleteThere are already several community gardens in the neighborhood, but I think these parts could also use some plant life/trees. I also like the idea of benches and tables so people can stay and enjoy the garden, read, talk, do work, etc. Murals are also great! I hope one day we could set up a little farmer's market in one of the spaces.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused about the possibility of using this space given the extreme noise pollution from the shuttle train. Is it realistic that people would sit on benches there and eat lunch? Same question for the community garden idea. On the other hand, maybe skateboarders wouldn't care? (Or am I stereotyping youth?)
ReplyDeleteI think an artist should figure out a way to rig a kinetic sculpture on Park/Prospect Pl that could depend on magnets/wind/or a tap from the train to tell passersby which direction the shuttle is next expected from.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see a public space that can be adapted for weekly farmers markets, flea markets, and outdoor community functions.
ReplyDeleteI live right next to one of these spaces and have often thought that something productive should be done with them, if for no other reason Prospect Park is close, but having some green than for easier access to the Shuttle.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a green space with benches (there are many other greenspaces close to traffic and/or trains that get lots of use). space so close by would really add something special to the neighborhood. And who wouldn't love a farmers or flea market so close by? I absolutely LOVE this idea!
Thanks for all your ideas!
ReplyDeleteI think that sculpture, murals and green could work well together. I loved the idea of an informative piece to know where the shuttle is coming from.
It seems that the noise from the shuttle is one of big the obstacles for all the programs that require spending good amounts of time in the spaces (having lunch on picnic tables and selling and buying on market stands) I will do research on sound barriers and see if there is something that can be proposed in this regard.
I am starting to leave some notebooks in some places in the neighborhood in case that some people feel more comfortable writing on a piece of paper than into an electronic blog.The first "what would you like in this space?" notebook is on the counter of the Jewish hospital laundry...just in case that some one comes across a great a idea while getting some laundry done. If you are a store/business owner in the neighborhood and want to host one of these notebooks please let me know. I will designate a space in the blog for your business logo or photo.
How about dumpster pools?
ReplyDeleteI know I already posted but I have another suggestion (maybe just for a small portion of the space(, DOG RUN!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many dog owners in the area. I almost always run into someone from the block at Prospect Park, and I bet we would all like small a place more nearby.
There is a group of people in the Jewish hospital building that have turned a small parking area into an impromptu dog run. And, when I did the 'Tiny Urban Park', there was a lot of interest in it being used as dog run as well.
I'd be willing to build benches again.
ReplyDelete