This past Saturday, individuals from across New York City gathered at the Powell Street Community Garden for "Brownsville Stronger Together: A Walk Through East Brooklyn's Diamond in the Rough," a community tour of Brownsville led by the Justice Center's own rockstar interns, Alonzo Jones and Emma Johnson.
The walk was one of 130 free, guided walks across New York City this past weekend as a part of Jane's Walk. Organized by the Municipal Arts Society, Jane's Walk is a movement of free, locally-led walking tours inspired by urbanist and author, Jane Jacobs. The walks get people to explore their cities and connect with their neighbors.
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| More than 100 Jane's Walks were organized across New York City this weekend but ours was the only one in Brownsville! |
If you weren't able to join this past Saturday, have no fear. You may experience a virtual Brownsville Jane's Walk right here....
Walk Ground Rules:
- Sidewalks maybe busy, PLEASE STAY CLOSE AT ALL TIMES.
- At all key point in the walk please huddle up so you can gather all your information.
- If you feel the pace of the walk is a bit overwhelming for you please let it be known.
- Please stay on the sidewalks at all times.
- Enjoy yourself and take lots of pictures.
Introduction:
Hello My Name is Alonzo Jones and this is My Co- Leader Emma Johnson. We are interns at the Brownsville Community Justice Center. We would like to thank all of you for showing up to our Brownsville Stronger Together Jane's Walk today. We were drawn to Jane's Walk for an opportunity to shine a better light on Brownsville and inform society on what Brownsville is about.
Hello My Name is Alonzo Jones and this is My Co- Leader Emma Johnson. We are interns at the Brownsville Community Justice Center. We would like to thank all of you for showing up to our Brownsville Stronger Together Jane's Walk today. We were drawn to Jane's Walk for an opportunity to shine a better light on Brownsville and inform society on what Brownsville is about.
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| The group met at the Isabahlia Powell Street Garden located on Livonia between Junius and Powell and proceeded down Livonia Ave under the shadow of the 3 train. |
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| The first stop was the Stone Avenue Library/Brownsville Heritage House on Mother Gaston Blvd.
Stone Ave Library: During the early part of the
century, Brownsville (known as the Jerusalem of America) was a crowded
neighborhood of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. The Stone Avenue Branch
was one of the later Carnegie branches, constructed to relieve overcrowding at
the nearby Brownsville Branch. The Stone Avenue Branch officially opened on
September 24, 1914. Originally named the Brownsville Children’s Library, it was
the first public library in the world devoted to serving children. The branch
was visited by librarians from around the world interested in learning about
how to set up a children's library.
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| The group proceeded along Dumont Ave through the Brownsville Houses. |
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The second stop was the monumental "Yesterday I was ___" mural created by Groundswell and Brownsville youth on Rockaway and Sutter Ave.
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| At the BMS health center, Quardean Lewis-Allen gave a quick history of public housing in Brownsville.
BMS: Our main health site. BMS Main (opened in 1992),
is a 27,000 sq. ft. two-story building located at the corner of Rockaway &
Blake Avenues in Brownsville, Brooklyn . The two-story, teal green building not
only houses the bulk of BMS' clinical services on the first floor, it also
serves as the agency’s corporate headquarters.
This BMS site offers: Adult Internal Medicine,
Infectious Disease, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Dentistry, Psychology, Psychiatry,
Social Services, Medical Records, Brownsville Community Pharmacy, Dermatology
,Optometry, Podiatry, Nephrology, Nutrition Counseling, Physical Therapy,
Surgery Consultations, Wellness programs.
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| After an icy break, the next stop was the beautiful Betsy Head Park. |
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| The group proceeded up Saratoga Avenue to visit another of the Isabahlia community gardens. |
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| The next stop was the historic Zion Triangle at the intersections of East New York, Pitkin and Legion Streets.
Zion Triangle: In 1896 the City of Brooklyn
acquired this triangular property, bounded by Legion Street, Pitkin, and East
New York Avenue at the junction of Eastern Parkway. The new park, or “gore”
(small, triangular parcel) as it was called then, was donated by landowner
Peter L. Vandeveer, and known in its early years as Vandeveer Park. The 1896
Brooklyn Parks Annual Report noted a small shelter at the site and noted that
the park “will be exceedingly useful as a resting place for bicycle riders who
use the Glenmore Avenue route to the good roads of Queens County.” In 1911, the
park was renamed Zion Park by the Board of Aldermen. Zion is derived from an
Old Testament reference to the City of David.
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| Alonzo explains what became of the historic Loew's Pitkin Theater, showing some images of what it looked like in it's heyday. |
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| The group walked down Pitkin to Rockaway and then turned onto Belmont Ave. |
Pitkin Avenue: The main thoroughfare, Pitkin
Avenue, named for John R. Pitkin, founder of the village of East New York, has
large shops, a movie palace, and restaurants; great crowds of shoppers and
strollers, day and evening, offer a colorful contrast to the numerous side
streets with their dismal houses.
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Erica Mateo, Alonzo, Quaming and Allen give a history of Belmont Avenue, from the pushcarts of the early 20th century to the day of service Brownsville youth did there last month.
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