This site is closed to new comments and posts.

Notice: This site uses cookies to function.
If you are not comfortable with cookies then please don't browse this website.

Brower Park Field — Brooklynian

Brower Park Field

millsah
millsah
edited July 2015 in Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Hi there,

I'm a resident of Crown Heights and I go to Brower Park almost every day with my dog. There are rumors amongst the "dog people" and the soccer players that the parks department/Friends of Brower Park/Central Park Conservancy have big plans to fence off the field and reconstruct it for other use (something about a winding path and bushes). Apparently the point is to block recreational use of the field. We have an ongoing discussion about this, but we can't seem to get more information from the people steering the ship. This space is important to many people in the neighborhood and we're afraid we will show up one day and be greeted by a fence. I've emailed Community Board 8, Friends of Brower Park, and even the park manager, but no response. 

I've noticed that a few people on here seem to know about the happenings with CB8 and I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light on this? Thanks.

Allie


«1

Comments

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    There will be an arts festival in a few weeks, August 15. It might have exclusive use of the fields for that weekend.

    http://www.friendsofbrowerpark.org/

    ...but I am not aware of any other large events or permament reconfiguring.
  • capt. planet
    capt. planet
    According to an email that I received from the Community Board, there will be a meeting in early August with Parks Dept. officials to discuss their reseeding program with area residents.  I'll let everyone know when we have a date.
  • millsah
    millsah
    The meeting is on August 4th at 6:00 pm at the st johns rec center. There's also this:

    https://www.change.org/p/bill-de-blasio-askeric-brooklynbp-nyc-gov-district7-council-nyc-gov-c-ron-taylor-nycparks-gov-rcornegy-council-nyc-gov-mlevine-council-nyc-gov-brooklynb8-gmail-com-press-office-parks-nyc-gov-save-brower-park
  • mantic
    mantic
    edited July 2015
    I believe the problem is and always has been a drainage issue. Every time they "claim" to be renovating the park, they have never addressed the water issue on the prospect side. Remember hearing it would cost too much back in the day...
    There once was a fence around the field, 2 more paths and a lot more benches in and outside of the park. Used to be BBQ pits and Chess tables. Took them all out many many years ago.
    Off leash dog run. Wonder if anyone knows how it got that status.
    there was an old dog named Bajeb that everybody knew and loved who just refused to obey that leash law....

    my only issue with the dogs is some of the owners don't scoop the poop, and they really need to fill the holes back in after the dogs done digging....
  • Dawndew
    Dawndew
    Drainage issues or not, a heavy beating regularly by adult soccer players on a a field not prepared for soccer can only have this same result we all are witnessing.
  • capt. planet
    capt. planet
    The city built a huge new soccer field covered with artificial grass behind st johns rec about four years ago. Has anyone considered using that space in lieu of brower park?
  • millsah
    millsah
    @capt. planet, that might work as an alternative for the soccer people, but not for the dozens of people who bring their dogs to off leash hours every morning.
  • capt. planet
    capt. planet
    Informational Meeting Re: Brower Park Re-Seeding Project
    You are invited to a
    Informational Meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 from 6-7pm at the Brooklyn Children's Museum located at 145
    Brooklyn Avenue corner St. Marks Avenue (In the Commons) to discuss the
    Re-Seeding project at Brower Park.  The Parks Department will be in attendance
    to give an update on the project.








    Michelle George, District Manager
    Brooklyn
    Community Board No. 8
    1291 St. Marks Avenue
    Brooklyn, NY 11213
    (P)
    718-467-5574
    (F) 718-778-2979
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited August 2015
    The dog owners are organizing. Rachel has learned of their struggle: http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150804/crown-heights/upcoming-brower-park-lawn-reseeding-project-worries-local-dog-owners
  • capt. planet
    capt. planet
    Paranoia strikes deep
    Into your life it will creep
    Buffalo Springfield
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited August 2015
    Capt-
    I don't think creating a petition on Change.org is evidence of paranoia.

    I believe it merely demonstrates boredom, and perhaps a way to get to know the good looking person with the beagle mix.
  • millsah
    millsah
    edited August 2015
    Hi all,

    Obviously the article leaves out a lot of details, but I appreciate that Rachel wrote it. The thing is, many of us reached out to Friends of Brower Park aka Phil about the rumors and he didn't respond-- had he, CB8, or the parks department responded and said all they are doing is reseeding, this wouldn't be an issue. Instead, they ignored our many inquiries until this week when they announced the community meeting. A bunch of people in the community are saying that it was Friends of Brower Park that "proposed" the plan to permanently block off the field in the first place, so his response is kind of ironic. Anyway, most of us are not against the reseeding, but I personally would like to see the park better maintained (drainage issues, etc). I think it's good that there is a dialogue going about it now.

    And I agree, certain people just want to stir things up, but most of us just want to make sure our pups have a place to play!

    - Allie
  • capt. planet
    capt. planet
    Dialogue is good.  Let's see how many folks show up to the meeting.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    They haven't done anything wrong; they shouldn't have to go to a meeting.
  • capt. planet
    capt. planet
    Meetings are not punishment.  They are an opportunity to create community.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    The negative aspects of "community" and "meetings" are vastly under reported by people who want others to participate.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community

    As a result, I perceive you as trying to reappropriate the terms.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reappropriation

  • capt. planet
    capt. planet
    I'll defer to Winston Churchill on community and meetings.

    Many forms of Gov­ern­ment have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pre­tends that democ­racy is per­fect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democ­racy is the worst form of Gov­ern­ment except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…

  • Dawndew
    Dawndew
    arent there any turf tearing soccer shoe guys out there reading this? I like dogs and cute owners but I would rather ban soccer playing from the park by "kids" over 12years old.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    Capt-
    I think you are the first to mention democracy in this thread, but if you find it at a meeting or in a community that you create, let me know. I'll then decide it isn't for me and opt out.

    This will allow you to believe your small group is getting closer to reaching consensus, and cast aspersions on me for not participating.


    @Dawndew -
    In practice, I doubt anyone is going to be banned from playing soccer unless the field becomes shaped in a way that it is not conducive to sports, or becomes a museum to pristine grass like those in Manhattan.

  • Dawndew
    Dawndew
    @whynot_31, I knew that  was a stretch and likewise I doubt anyone could ever ban dogs. To save the grass  I suggest a 20' dia circular ornamental garden placed right in the center of the field that makes soccer games impossible and allows grass the grow.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited August 2015
    In Manhattan, they leave that job to lots of fences and a cadre of mostly female, park volunteers who seem to be in their late-50s.

    Given last night's shooting and the mutty dogs that presently enjoy this park, I don't know that Brower is at that level yet.

    muttly dogs: https://www.change.org/p/bill-de-blasio-askeric-brooklynbp-nyc-gov-district7-council-nyc-gov-c-ron-taylor-nycparks-gov-rcornegy-council-nyc-gov-mlevine-council-nyc-gov-brooklynb8-gmail-com-press-office-parks-nyc-gov-save-brower-park

    The muttly dogs and the soccer players might be priced and fenced out by 2025.

    After that, let's give the park to the those volunteers who have third homes somewhere and need somehow to fill their time, as well as people with pure bred dogs.
  • capt. planet
    capt. planet
    This is a public meeting, not a private meeting, being held so that the public can be apprised of the plans for Brower Park.  Anyone can come, no computer required.  You do have to leave your house though.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    The aspersions have begun!
  • Dawndew
    Dawndew
    It's ok whatnot_31 if parks Are not your thing. We won't judge you for not being supportive. Unlike other types of Reastate, parks need some community maintance.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    I like parks. My dog and I are in parks everyday.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    The lawn will be closed beginning in the Fall of 2016, until the Spring of 2017.

    http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150812/crown-heights/brower-park-lawn-close-for-9-months-for-re-seeding-next-year-parks
  • Dawndew
    Dawndew
    Thank you for update whynot_31
  • bklyn50
    bklyn50
    Parks are created by people.
    Therefore the first priority should be the enjoyment of people.
    I would automatically exclude people who defecate in the park.

    When I looked at the petition on change.org to keep the park available to dogs and their owners,
    there were only two comments.
    One of them asked the dog owners to own property and keep their dogs in a community
    where property was cheap enough so that they could let their dog run on their own lawn.

    Children shouldn't have to risk disease because you allowed your dog to use the park as a toilet.
  • bklyn50
    bklyn50
    I was at the meeting.
  • Dawndew
    Dawndew
    Stepping in feces while running in the grass completely ruins ones day and the event stays with you (no pun intended) while using the park for years.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In

Categories