Kayaking clubs, floating classrooms considered for the future Eco Dock

By on May 2, 2012  Parks
May 022012
 

Courtesy the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance

WARNING: maritime geekiness ahead. No clash of the bike-and-car cultures in this story, nor will this article chronicle the latest battle between halal food carts and their natural direct competitors, sports bars. This post is strictly about the nerdy fun that comes recreational waterfront access, and the coalition of politicians, city employees, and non-profit groups that want to make it happen here.

That’s right, folks, it’s time to talk about 69th Street Eco Dock, slated to be constructed early this fall.

Last Thursday, the Bay Ridge branch of the Brooklyn Public Library was the setting for a community meeting to introduce some details about the Eco Dock project to the pubic, as well as to crowd-source new ideas for future use. Keep reading, and tell us what you would like to see at the Eco Dock…

Thursday: 69th Street Eco Dock Meeting

By on April 24, 2012  Featured story, Parks
Apr 242012
 

This Thursday, at the Bay Ridge Library (7223 Ridge Boulevard), the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance will co-host a community meeting with Councilmember Vincent Gentile and Borough President Marty Markowitz to present and solicit ideas for the 69th Street Eco Dock.

The 69th Street Pier was selected as the location of the Eco Dock in 2009, with the help of $300,000 in funding from Gentile. The dock is expected to be constructed this summer by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance – a coalition of over 600 regional waterway-oriented organizations – is reaching out to the community to plan programs and operations at the new dock. The dock can support a wide variety of program opportunities including historic and educational vessel programming, kayaking, community events and environmental education projects. The purpose of Thursday’s meeting is to begin working on possible programs at the dock with the Bay Ridge community.

The design of the dock is the result of a two-year-long process which incorporated feedback from the hand-powered boating community and large vessel operators.

The meeting will run this Thursday, April 26, from 6pm to 8pm. Those interested in attending should contact Becky Schneider at bschneider@waterfrontalliance.org to RSVP.

O Ornamental Green Bush: MulchFest this weekend, curbside tree pickup through next Saturday

By on January 6, 2012  Parks
Jan 062012
 
Woodchippers can also be used to mulch trees.

Woodchippers can also be used to mulch trees.

Attention Christians, assimilated Atheists, and Jews with Gentile in-laws: the Parks and Sanitation Departments are once again teaming up to help you recycle your Christmas tree. Or any other kind of tree you’ve watched die slowly in your sitting room for the past month.

Curbside pickup started this past Tuesday, and runs until Saturday, January 14. It’s super-easy. Just remove all of the ornaments, tinsel, lights, and other attachments, and leave it on the curb. Do not place it in a plastic bag, or any other kind of bag. Done. Easy as cake. New York’s Strongest will turn the trees over to Parks, who will use the composted trees as fertilizer in the spring.

If you’re ambitious, you can take your tree to a MulchFest location tomorrow, January 7, or Sunday, January 8 (10am to 2pm both days). Trees will be chipped on the spot, and you can take a bag of mulch home with you. (You don’t have to bring a tree to get a free bag of mulch.) As with the curbside guidelines, please remove ornaments, tinsel, lights, plastic bags, and Coen brothers characters before taking your tree to a wood-chipping location.

In southern Brooklyn, MulchFest will be at Owl’s Head Park and Marine Park.