Bike helmet decorating (photo by Keka Marzagão)

Throughout the day, passers-by stopped in to chat, listen to various live music acts, decorate their bikes and helmets, pick up helpful NYC biking guidelines provided by Transportation Alternatives, decorate the sidewalks with chalk, get food and drink from Vox Pop Café, and most importantly, fill out our pedestrian survey requesting their opinions about the safety (or lack thereof) of Cortelyou and Stratford Roads. Everyone from toddlers to the elderly stopped by and took part in our party, which lasted from 10AM to about 6PM.

Along with the approximately 60 surveys that were filled out in person on Sunday, at least 40 more have been filled out online. Hopefully these can serve as further testament to the Department of Transportation that permanent action at this intersection is necessary, be it a four-way stop sign or a traffic light or some other design from their toolbox. As Cortelyou Road accrues more businesses and development, the number of pedestrians, cars and bicycles will only increase, which will make it that much more of a concern. I think that our Block Party was a great demonstration of a fun and creative way to take on issues on a community level that affect the whole city. Now if only we can have a block party for Queens Boulevard!

(UPDATE: We now have 140 surveys! Thanks to everyone who participated!)

I Love Brookln from our 2008 Newkirk Block Party (photo by Anne Pope)

Can’t make it to the party? Fill out our survey online and make your voice heard! Survey results will be shared with Community Board 14 and the NYC Department of Transportation, with the goal of bringing traffic calming infrastructure to Cortelyou Road.

Funding for this event provided by Citizens Committee for New York City’s Love Your (NYC) Block campaign

Flatbush Avenue (photo by wallyg)

This coming Monday night, June 28th, presents a great opportunity for local Livable Streets advocates to have some input on what the future design of Flatbush Avenue will look like!

See the invitation below (received from Assemblymember Rhoda Jacobs’ office) for a Public Input Session to discuss the Department of Transportation’s Flatbush Avenue Study, part of DOT’s Congested Corridors Project. The study area encompasses Flatbush Avenue from Empire to Nostrand Avenues, including the Flatbush/Nostrand Junction near Brooklyn College. (Apparently this study was initiated some time ago, since it refers to the Target store at the Junction as being “under development”.)

At the moment this major thoroughfare that cuts through so many of Brooklyn’s neighborhood’s is dangerous territory for pedestrians and bikes (a cyclist was killed at the intersection of Flatbush and Beverley only two months ago), and crossings are hazardous enough to effectively cut neighborhoods off from each other. Although street design appears to be a permanent and unchangeable part of the urban infrastructure, this is not actually the case, and the fact that DOT is studying this part of Brooklyn shows that they recognize the need for change.

Let’s dare to imagine and advocate for a Flatbush Avenue design that is welcoming to people instead of acting solely as a conduit for automobiles!

WHAT: Flatbush Avenue Congested Corridors Public Input Session
WHEN: Monday, June 28th from 7-9 pm (registration begins at 6:30)
WHERE: Erasmus Hall High School, Bedford Avenue between Church and Snyder Avenues

photo by Keka

What: Street Tree Walking Tour

Where: Begins and ends at Sacred Vibes Apothecary (376 Argyle Road, btwn Cortelyou & Dorchester Roads)

When: Sunday, May 2 — two tours are scheduled: one at 11 a.m., one at noon

Suggested donation $5

On the Street Tree Walking Tour, you will learn to identify a variety of trees (think of how you can impress your friends!), examine local natural tree history and tree lore (no textbooks needed!), explore the way street trees benefit urban areas (you’ll become a tree’s best friend), and find out how you can obtain and care for street trees yourself!

Street Tree Walking Tour '09 (photo by Keka)

Become a street tree defender as you walk your way around Victorian Flatbush! The tour (recommended by Brokelyn as a great cheap date!) will take about two hours. Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather and the walk!

The Street Tree Walking Tour is about “connecting people to streetscape,” according to Chris Kreussling. Street trees remind us that we are not separate from nature, but instead dependent upon it for our survival and safety. So grab a friend — or three! –  for the walk of the season, and fall more in love with the beautiful foliage of Brooklyn!

What: Street Tree Walking Tour

Where: Begins and ends at Sacred Vibes Apothecary (376 Argyle Road, btwn Cortelyou & Dorchester Roads)

When: Sunday, April 25 — two tours are scheduled: one at 11 a.m., one at noon

Rain date: In case of heavy rain, the tour will be rescheduled for Sunday, May 2

Suggested donation $5

Keep an eye out for Sustainable Flatbush’s Street Tree Walking Tour next fall!

Bus Rapid Transit

The B44, which runs from Williamsburg to Sheepshead Bay, has repeatedly been rated the least reliable bus line in all five boroughs, receiving the dubious honor of  Schleppie Award from Straphangers’ Campaign and Transportation Alternatives. Fortunately, this line has been chosen for major improvements: the DOT plans to upgrade the B44 to Select Bus Service, aka Bus Rapid Transit, which has been a hugely successful strategy for public transportation throughout the world. In New York City, Select Bus Service has already been implemented on the Bx12 route in the Bronx; these buses now run 20% faster than the Limited stop buses they replaced, and are attracting close to 5,000 additional daily riders.

Sustainable Flatbush was contacted by the DOT to help mobilize neighborhood residents’ participation in the Community Advisory Committee… so we are inviting YOU to be part of this process. The Community Advisory Committee will meet regularly to provide a venue for Community Boards, elected officials, and other stakeholders and institutions to provide input on how the project will be implemented. Let me repeat: public transit riders are usually under-represented at these meetings, so come and make your voice heard!! As difficult as it may seem to imagine, New York City buses can be efficient, attractive, and dependable… show your support for B44 Select Bus Service and be part of making the dream a reality! Here are the details:

WHAT:
Department of Transportation’s Community Advisory Committee meeting on B44 Select Bus Service

WHEN:
Tuesday, December 8th at 6:30 pm

WHERE:
Brooklyn College Student Center State Room (5th floor)
Campus Road and East 27th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11210
2 or 5 subway to Flatbush Avenue/Brooklyn College (last stop)
view MAP

A PDF of the B44 proposal can be downloaded here.

Photo by Flatbush Gardener

The Daffodil Project was originally created to commemorate September 11th; a Dutch bulb grower donates 500,000 bulbs each year to NYC community groups who plant them in neighborhoods all over the five boroughs. This year, New Yorkers for Parks distributed more than 125,000 Daffodil bulbs for planting throughout the City. Sustainable Flatbush received 500 bulbs for planting in tree beds and other public areas in our neighborhood.

This will be Sustainable Flatbush’s second year of co-sponsoring the Daffodil Project locally. If you enjoy gardening, feel like digging in some dirt, or if you just want to delight in the company of your neighbors, join us this weekend!

WHAT: Flatbush Daffodil Project
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, November 14th and 15th, from 10:00am until 12:00pm
WHERE: Meet in front of Vox Pop Cafe at 9:45, 1022 Cortelyou Road (corner of Stratford Road)

(Please note: rain cancels this event! Call us at 718-208-0575 if in doubt)

Do you brush past that same old tree every day as you come and go from home, but forget that it’s even there? Would you like to know its name, its history, and admire its resplendent beauty at the peak of this colorful Fall season? Join Sustainable Flatbush and community residents for the first Fall Foliage Street Tree Walking Tour, led by tour guide Tracey Hohman, professional gardener, and Chris Kreussling, aka Flatbush Gardener, both from the neighborhood.

On Saturday, October 24th, we will be strolling and discovering the hidden histories of local trees, identifying names and characteristics, discussing their role in the environment, and learning how to care for the proud tree on your street.

“Conditions are ideal for spectacular foliage this year. We’ve had ample rains over the Summer following near-record Spring rains. The NY State Foliage Forecast predicts that peak foliage will reach New York City around the last week of October.” -Flatbush Gardener Blog

This free event is a perfect opportunity to visit Victorian Flatbush in the heart of Brooklyn and experience the neighborhood’s breathtaking street trees — including some that are more than 100 years old! By the tour’s end you will have made friends not only with neighbors and guides, but with the trees in our community as well.

Location:
Tours start at Sacred Vibes Apothecary, 376 Argyle Road, just south of Cortelyou Road: http://maps.google.com

Directions:
Take the Q train to Cortelyou Road Station and walk west after exiting the station toward Argyle Road. As a reminder, check the MTA website for schedule and service advisories before you head out: http://mta.info

Time:
Tours depart at 11:00 AM and 12:00 NOON.
Tours take about 2 hours to complete and are 1 mile in length.

Google Map for the stroll: http://bk.ly/N8

For more information, please contact Sustainable Flatbush at info@SustainableFlatbush.org

photos by Flatbush Gardener and Keka Marzagao

To raise awareness of how public space is allocated in our neighborhood, we will transform an unremarkable parking spot into “Cortelyou Road Park”: an urban oasis with grass, lawn chairs, music, art supplies, games, and good conversation for all to enjoy, at the corner of Cortelyou and Argyle Roads, in front of the Public Library.

Two sustainable craft businesses based in the NYC area – Garbage of Eden Design and RePlayGround – will teach free creative workshops on fashioning fun stuff out of garbage. We invite you to bring your favorite empty cereal box or designed scrap paper to personalize your crafts. Jewelry made from plastic bags and yogurt containers as well as kits to make projects from scrap will be on display. You could even win a food gift basket from the Flatbush Food Coop, which is also graciously providing free snacks throughout the day! Join us for this international event at the level of our local neighborhood. Meet your neighbors and those working within our community who strive to make it a more livable place.

Last year’s event was a great success. This year we plan to outdo it with:

• * A special Puppet Show featuring the juggling egg puppet by Ronny starting at 11am
• * Craft workshops by Garbage of Eden Design and RePlayGround
• * A worm composting demonstration by a Brooklyn Botanic Garden Master Composter
• * A solar-powered cell phone charging station
• * BYO Mug Coffee Station, courtesy of Vox Pop Cafe

So bring your own mug and don’t miss the daylong fun!

WHAT: Park(ing) Day / Cortelyou Road Park
WHEN: Friday, September 18th from 9am until 6pm
WHERE: Corner of Cortelyou and Argyle Roads, Brooklyn NY

Park(ing) Day 2008 photos by Keka Marzagao

Visualization: PowerBike at Park(ing) Day

WE NEED YOU to visit the website, rate our proposal, and  leave a comment! Your ratings and comments give us a better chance of being selected as one of the 10 finalists.

Here’s what we will build if we win:

Sustainable Flatbush off-grid solar PowerBike!

Mobile, clean power

Solar PowerBike Diagram

• * Anybody can charge their laptops, phones or mp3 players at Sustainable Flatbush events
• * The system cranks out enough power to run a small sound system and lights for outdoor programming
• * Local businesses “host” the PowerBike, attracting customers and highlighting their sustainable business practices
• * Our community garden has clean electricity where there is no access to the electrical grid
• * Of course, the PowerBike provides backup power in emergency situations

Turn the crank to point it toward the sun!

An education station makes the PowerBike ideal for teaching school kids about energy and the environment. Through appealing readouts and data-collection software, students monitor system performance like power output and avoided greenhouse gas emissions.

Why:

The residents of Flatbush, Brooklyn are showing what we can do on the neighborhood level to reduce our carbon footprint, fight global warming, and foster community at the same time.

This project is a long-term investment in local renewable energy for our community. Day after day, year after year, the neighborhood PowerBike keeps harnessing clean power, keeps teaching the skills that are the foundation of our new green economy, and keeps modeling a way of life that does not jeopardize future generations.

Visualization: PowerBike at the Flatbush FreeMeet

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