FoBP Harlem River Advocacy in the news...

City Council approves Lower Concourse rezoning

by DANIEL BEEKMAN
"When Department of City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden looks at the Lower Concourse, she pictures a Harlem River promenade. She pictures skyscraping condos, corner stores, lofts and a waterfront park. Burden pictures a rusty neighborhood remade for residential and commercial development.

When Friends of Brook Park director Harry Bubbins looks at the Lower Concourse, he pictures..." something different.

Read the rest if the article at:
Click here for the full article.

FoBP hosts MillionTreesNYC

MillionTreesNYC, one of the 127 PlaNYC initiatives, is a citywide, public-private program with an ambitious goal: to plant and care for one million new trees across the City's five boroughs over the next decade. By planting one million trees, New York City can increase its urban forest—our most valuable environmental asset made up of street trees, park trees, and trees on public, private and commercial land—by an astounding 20%, while achieving the many quality-of-life benefits that come with planting trees.

The City of New York will plant 60% of trees in parks and other public spaces. The other 40% will come from private organizations, homeowners, and community organizations. Friends of Brook park is a vital part of this effort.

Today we partnered with the MillionTreesNYC Apprenticeship program, which connects City youth to the numerous “green collar” jobs that are being planned nation-wide. Jobs related to tree planting and care are currently in high demand as a result of MillionTreesNYC, and the Apprenticeship Program aims to provide the skills that youth need to capitalize on well-paying career opportunities. The target population for the program, disconnected youth aged 18-24, has been identified by the Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) as particularly in need of marketable employment skills. The program will include NYCHA residents within the target population for training in jobs that involve the planting, pruning and stewardship of the trees. The MillionTreesNYC Apprenticeship will be administered by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, in conjunction with other City agencies and nonprofit and community partners.

As a local community partner, Friends of Brook park fills a vital need in the overall initiative. Yet, we do not have the millions of dollars in resources that larger, worthy, groups and projects are allocated. Please make a contribution to Friends of Brook Park today so that we can ensure the long term success of tree planting projects.

(Photos by Gustavo Vilchis)

Garlic Planting!

Growing Garlic in The Bronx

Garlic Planting Workshop with Friends of Brook Park and NY Botanical Garden

http://www.friendsofbrookpark.org

Join El Girasol Community Garden’s Vincent Russo in learning the basics of planting garlic. Help prepare the planting bed and plant garlic cloves for next summer’s harvest. Bronx Green-Up community gardeners who participate will receive a head of garlic per garden.
Saturday, November 22 · 2–3:30 p.m. · Brook Park · Brook Park Avenue and East 141st Street

1. Late October - Early December: Planting
➢Choose a well drained garden bed, amended with compost.
➢Separate each garlic bulb in to individual cloves.
➢Plant each clove pointed side up, covered by approximately one inch of soil, 4-6 inches apart.
➢Mulch well.


2. Early June: Cut Scapes
➢Remove scapes (flower stalks) as they begin to curl


3. Early - Mid July: Harvest
➢When half of the garlic leaves have turned brown, pull a plant to check for maturity.
➢Bulbs are ready for harvest when they have reached full size, but before the outer skin begins to loosen and the cloves begin to separate.



4. Mid July - August: Curing
➢Allow garlic to dry in a cool, dark place with good air circulation.
➢When garlic is fully dry, the leaves may be removed, and the garlic is ready to use!

Garden Dance Performance: by Sabine Heubusch

December 12, 2007
Time: Afternoon,

What: Garden Dance Performance: by Sabine Heubusch

Please let us know if you will bring your students to enjoy:

- Brief Seasonal Hand’s on Tour of Garden
- Special GARDEN DANCE performance
- Quick Dance/Movement Workshop Exploration

The dancer brings the audience to different places in the garden. The audience has the freedom to place themselves around the performer. The slow pace of the dance provides space for the audience to take in the complexity and details of the garden. Participants connect to Nature’s richness - to its smells, colors, shapes, sounds, and its peacefulness.


RSVP!!!!!!
Depending on the response we will have one or two performances in the afternoon of the 12th.

Please email with your name, school, grade, cell phone and number of students by November 30th.
Heavy rain, and or super frigid weather cancels. Snow is fine!


About the performer:
Dancer Sabine Heubusch received her BA in Music and Movement from the University for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. After winning a dance scholarship from the Austrian Ministry of Arts and Education, she moved to New York. Sabine has performed in various New York City venues, including Dixon Place, Soho Joyce, Pentacle, and Limelight.
In 2001, she began to focus on site-specific outdoor performances, and in 2005, she founded RASA Dance. Currently she is performing her new piece in Brooklyn Bridge Park. A certified teacher of Alexander Technique, Yoga, and Pilates Mat, Sabine teaches adults, children, and children with special needs in New York and throughout Europe. See: http://www.spinelight.com for more information.

All Things Parks and Environmental

If you are in NYC, please attend....

You can ask/tell the Bronx parks Commissioner as a Friend of Brook Park!

*Move forward with the community design for Brook Park, with the underground
brook, labyrinth, fruit trees and outdoor classroom

*Move forward the south bronx waterfront park on the Harlem River


(Thank Helen Foster for helping to stop the randall's island waterpark)

__________________________________________________________
You are invited to an evening of. All Things Parks and Environmental

Weds, Nov. 14th 6 - 9 PM

Vladeck Hall of historic Amalgamated Housing Cooperative

74 Van Cortlandt Park South, Hillman Avenue Entrance

Appetizers, Finger Food, and Refreshments will be served

Three prominent Bronx Environmentalists as our Guest Speakers :

a.. Bronx Parks Commissioner Hector M. Aponte
a.. Council Member Helen D. Foster, 16 CD (Parks Chair)
a.. Assemblyman Jeffrey M. Dinowitz, 81 AD
Co-sponsored with the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park
For more information, directions or to RSVP, please e-mail:
Karen.Argenti@bceq.org or Christina@vancortlandt.org or call (718)
601-1460

Paddle with CSX and Waste Management

What a wonderful day it was to take out with our canoe fleet representatives from neighboring CSX and Waste Management companies. We wanted to show them even more the exciting Harlem River Park site we have been working on to create public access. We discussed safety and ecological issues and how we can work together to achieving greater access to the waterfront for our commmunities. With the current we paddled south and through the Bronx Kill between the South Bronx and Randall's Island. Te leaves were coming in Autumn splendor and we shared a splendid lunch in the neighborhood afterwards.

Mule in Garden & Autumn Invitation

Happy Autumn!

We at Friends of Brook Park want to invite you to join us at Brook Park between 140th and 141st Street and Brook Avenue entering through 141st Street. Thanks to our expanding community we are making great, green things happen in our neighborhood. As you know, more gardens and parks and trees improve our health and quality of life. Where else nearby can we experience such peaceful Nature?

The summer is over, and with the new school year, we have a great series of activities for students, youth and even adults. Did you get to see the mule in the park yesterweek? Or the presentation by Ed Wiley, form West Virginia, about the dangers of coal Mountain Top Removal?


Parents are welcomed to get involved to have a safe, creative space for imagination, and for teachers to bring the youth out. Some of you have hosted parties and celebrations already. Our only rules? Clean up before and after, no drugs and no alcohol. Of course.

We are providing educational experience with our “No Child Left Inside” program, growing food on 140th for the Farmer’s Market on 138th Street across from St’ Luke’s, offering volunteer and training opportunities in landscaping, and getting ready to tear up the asphalt on 141st to expand the greenspace.

In addition, we have been progressing on our waterfront projects, with support for a Harlem River Park in the South Bronx growing. Some of you have gone canoeing with us and fishing, right here in our neighborhood. We are working to reduce the pollution in the area and to protect our interests in Randall’s Island.

Please join us in Brook Park. Here is a sample of our upcoming events:

Ø September 22, Autumn Equinox Volunteer Day 10 Am – 1PM and throughout the day.
Also celebrating El Grito de Lares, commemorated as the birth of the Puerto Rican nation, when Puerto Ricans rose up against Spanish colonial rule in a revolt.

Ø October 13th and October 20th from 12-2PM join Wave Hill and the NYC Department of Parks and
Recreation as we plant fall bulbs that will blossom into beautiful flowers in Spring! Groups and classes welcomed!

And towards the Day of the Dead we will be hosting a celebration of Mexican culture, and highlighting the people of the Mexican State of Oaxaca.

As you can see, we have lots going on. And with your involvement, we can do even more. Get involved, join us at an event, or volunteer. We have a bulletin board on the corner of 141st and Brook, and we can be reached at (646) 206-5288. All of this information, and plenty more, you can see and share at:
www.friendsofbrookpark.org. There you can read more, see pics and even some YouTube videos!

Make sure to check our Calendar periodically. And volunteer and Intern opportunities abound! Even from home, you can help us with online communications.

You are Friends of Brook Park, so come and visit your garden. Try to commit to two hours in the garden a week. After school, 3-5 PM on weekdays will be helpful, and anytime on the weekends.

Please consider a monetary contribution today:

Friends of Brook Park
PO Box 801
The Bronx, NY 10454

Sincerely,

Harry J. Bubbins, for Friends of Brook Park

______

¡Feliz Otoño!


Nosotros en Amigos del Brook Park queremos invitarle unirnos en Brook Park (Avenida de Brook entra las calles 140 y 141). Gracias a nuestra comunidad expansiva nosotros hacemos gran y las cosas verdes suceder en nuestro vecindario. Como usted sabe, más jardines y los parques y los árboles mejoran nuestra salud y la calidad de nuestra vida. ¿Dónde más cerca de podemos experimentamos tal naturaleza pacífica?

El verano ha terminado, y con el nuevo año escolar, nosotros tenemos una gran serie de actividades para estudiantes, la juventud e adultos. Los padres están bienvenido a adeudarnos hacer un espacio seguro y creador para la imaginación, y para maestros poder traer sus estudiantes. Algunos de ustedes nos han hecho partidos y celebraciones ya. ¿Nuestras únicas reglas? Limpie antes y después, ningunas drogas y ningún alcohol. Por supuesto.

Proporcionamos una experiencia educativa con nuestro "Ningún Niño Dejado Adentro" el programa, creciendo alimento en la calle 140 para el Mercado de Granjero en la Calle 138 enfrente de St. Lukes, ofreciendo instrucción sobre voluntar e ajardinar, y estamos preparando a despedazar el asfalto en la calle 141 para ensanchar el greenspace.

Además, estamos progresando con nuestros proyectos en las orillas de la agua, con apoyo para un Parque del Río de Harlem en el Sur del Bronx. Algunos de ustedes han hecho piragüismo con nosotros y siguen pescando, aquí mismo en nuestro vecindario. Trabajamos para reducir la contaminación en el área y para proteger nuestros intereses en la Isla de Randalls (Randalls Island).

Únenos por favor en Parque de Brook. Aquí está una muestra de nuestros acontecimientos próximos:

Septiembre 22, Día de Voluntario de Equinoccio de otoño 10 AM – 1 PM, y a través del día. También celebramos El Grito de Lares, conmemorado el nacimiento de la nación puertorriqueña, cuando lost puertorriqueños subieron contra la regla colonial española en una rebelión.

¡13 de octubre y 20 de octubre de 12-2 PM unen Onda la Colina y el Departamento de NYC de Parques y Recreación como nosotros plantamos bombillas de caída que florecerán en flores hermosas en la Primavera!

Y hacia el Día del Muerto estaremos recibiendo una celebración de la cultura mexicana, y de destacar a las personas del Estado mexicano de Oaxaca.

Como usted puede ver, tenemos muchos eventos en el calendario. Y con su participación, podemos hacer aún más. Métase, únanos en un acontecimiento, o voluntar. Tenemos un cartel en el rincón de la calle 141 y la Avenida Brook, y puedes llamarnos al (646) 206-5288, en español (646) 641-5788. Toda esta información, y la abundancia más, usted puede ver y compartir en: www.friendsofbrookpark.org. ¡Allí usted puede leer más, ver fotos e algunos videos de YouTube!

¡Usted son los Amigos del Parque de Brook, así que vengan y visitan su jardín!

Cordialmente,

Harry J. Bubbins, Friends of Brook Park

Trashtastic Interview with Harry Bubbins

Trashtastic Thursday with Harry J. Bubbins

Trashtastic Tuesday comes early this week (or late, depending on your world view). Note that the everydaytrash post flow may trickle down next week. I’ll be in Budapest. Stay tuned for stories of Euro and post-Communist trash. In the meantime…
_______

everydaytrash: So, I heard the city is now using trains to transport trash OUT of the Bronx, what about the trash coming IN?

Harry J. Bubbins: The Bronx, and specifically the South South Bronx, the Port Morris and Mott Haven neighborhoods handle almost all the garbage. Besides the borough waste, we handle trash from Manhattan and Queens as well. This is because the Mayor’s Solid Waste Management Plan, approved by the NYC Council has been stalled by three Upper West Side State legislators who refuse to handle Manhattan’s waste in Manhattan. The direct outcome of their recalcitrance is an increase of diesel truck traffic in the most at-risk for asthma communities and a dream deferred for a significant step towards environmental justice.

everydaytrash: What are the Harlem River Rail Yards?

Bubbins: The Harlem River Rail yards refer to the 96 acres site at the southern most tip of the Bronx that is owned by the people of New York through the NYS Department of Transportation...

Read the entire interview at:
everydaytrash.wordpress.com

Bronx: Garbage Takes the Train. BS?

Bronx: Garbage Takes the Train

from the NYTimes
Read more Here

Published: August 15, 2007

Garbage is now being shipped out of the Bronx entirely by rail instead of by trucks, part of a city plan to reduce the number of trucks traveling on the streets, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced yesterday. The Bronx is the second borough to use trains to ship the garbage; Staten Island began shipping household waste in May after the city reactivated the Staten Island Railroad. The Bronx ships about 2,100 tons of garbage each day for disposal outside the city, the mayor said.

Note:

What this means is that all of the garbage being shipped out of the Bronx, which includes trash from Queens and Manhattan currently, is coming through Community Board #1 of the South, South Bronx. The Mott Haven and Port Morris neighborhoods specifically.

It comes into our neighborhoods via diesel trucks and to the Waste Management facility on the Harlem River Rail Yards. Although the Harlem River Rail Yards are owned by the NYS Dept of Transportation, and leased to Galesi Group, we enjoy no public benefit whatsoever. Still at this time there is no official public access, though it is 96 acres of waterfront property. See our efforts to create these kinds of amenities at:

http://www.friendsofbrookpark.org/waterfront.html

Email us to get involved in environmental justice efforts!

The images are of the doubled up lines of idling trucks blocking the Third Avenue Bridge at Bruckner Boulevard at the entrance to the Port Morris facility. note the police breaking through the lines to get traffic to flow and the worker with a bag of food he went to get while is idling truck was waiting to enter the facility.

See a follow-up article at:

AM NEWS Article

Cherry Blossoms are out! Scarlet Tanager sited!

Cherry Blossoms are out!

The 8 "zakura" trees are from cuttings from the world famous ones on the Washington Mall, a gift of peace from the Japanese government.

The famous trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, signal the coming of Spring with an explosion of life and color in a sea of pale pink and white. Exactly when the buds will open is not an easy question to answer. The history of the cherry trees dates to 1912 when the original trees were planted by First Lady Mrs. William Howard Taft and the Vicountess Chinda of Japan.

We obtained them in 1999 through the Bronx Green-Up project of the New York Bontanical Garden and planted them with local residents, activist and even police, with water from the fire department!

Director of FoBP receives Community Planner Honor

The Municipal Art Society of New York: The Art of Making New York Livable
The Planning Center
Community Planner Award Recipients Announced
Harry Bubbins of Friends of Brook Park is a 2007 Finalist!
March 23, 2007 Click Here!!

Although we seldom hear about their work in the New York Times, we have likely witnessed, learned from, or benefited from the efforts of community planners. Across New York City, community residents are becoming activists—taking the lead in addressing the planning issues confronting their neighborhoods and proving that they are the experts. The annual Yolanda Garcia Community Planner award, sponsored by the Planning Center with funding from the Citigroup Foundation, was created to shine a light on the enduring work of community planners, applauding their successes and encouraging them to continue their work. Named for Yolanda Garcia, a community activist in the South Bronx., this award was created to commemorate her work and vision. Under Ms. Garcia’s leadership, the residents of Melrose challenged the city, created an alternative to an urban renewal plan, and transformed a neighborhood.

In 1990 the Melrose section of the Bronx was presented with an urban renewal plan that was drafted without community participation, would have displaced long-time community residents and businesses, and would have discouraged high-density growth. At the time, Melrose, which had a population of nearly 6,000 people, epitomized the devastation experienced in the South Bronx during the 1960’s and 70’s—abandoned buildings, vacant lots, and little public or private investment. Remaining residents and businesses were adamant about staying and improving their neighborhood—using their strong roots there to provide an anchor for new growth. Shepherded by Ms. Garcia, We Stay/Nos Quedamos was created to organize the community around creating and advocating for a plan based on community need and derived through consensus.

The organization created by Ms. Garcia, We Stay/Nos Quedamos, is bringing that community’s vision to life through planning, design, construction, and programming. Founded upon principles of community organizing and consensus-based planning, the organization has grown into a community partnership that has produced 700 residential units and over 30,000 square feet of commercial space, all in service of the community vision.

On February 24, 2006, the first annual YGCP award was presented posthumously to Ms. Garcia and We Stay/Nos Quedamos for their accomplishments and continued commitment to improving their community. Yolanda Gonzales, current Executive Director and daughter of Yolanda, accepted the award at a lively celebration.

Although Ms. Garcia had no formal training as a planner, she was an expert on her community and believed in the power of local knowledge. Instead of simply organizing the community around stopping the city’s urban renewal plan, she organized her community to become proactive, marshal resources, identify partners and advocates, and create their own plan. In a planning environment where community is sometimes an afterthought, the work of Ms. Garcia and We Stay/Nos Quedamos is a compelling example of what communities can accomplish when they claim an active role in planning their futures.

This year’s award process included an open call for nominations and a jury-deliberated selection of finalists. Our jury members this year, notable for their deep connections to the world of community planning are: Karen Philips, City Planning Commissioner; Tom Angotti, Director, Hunter College Center for Community Planning and Development; Ron Shiffman, Professor, Pratt Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment; Micaela Birmingham, Director of Planning, New Yorkers for Parks; Yolanda Gonzales, Executive Director, We Stay/Nos Quedamos; and Marc Jahr, Market Director, Citibank Community Development.

This year the Yolanda Garcia Community Planner award will be given to Elizabeth Yeampierre. A certificate for lifetime achievement will be awarded to Wilma Maynard, and certificates of honorable mention go to Damaris Reyes, Harry Bubbins, and Laura Hoffman.

This year’s finalists came from a variety of NYC neighborhoods and have a diverse body of work. However, what they all have in common is their commitment to using a grassroots inclusive process to create positive community change:

2007 Finalists

Harry Bubbins is a member of Bronx Community Board 1 and director of Friends of Brook Park, a nonprofit group focusing on waterfront development and the revitalization of Brook Park in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. A charismatic leader, Harry works closely with a broad based coalition of neighborhood stakeholders fighting for the environmental and social issues that matter to his community. In addition to bringing the community together to advocate and create plans, Harry also brings the community together to have fun - securing canoes and kayaks for use on the waterfront and organizing youth focused gardening and nature appreciation projects. Harry has become active in local land use issues advocating for inclusionary zoning in Port Morris, voicing his opposition to the Randalls Island water park plan and proactively planning for the Bronx Greenway.

...
Born and raised in New York, Elizabeth Yeampierre is the executive director of the oldest Latino community-based organization in Brooklyn—the United Puerto Rican Organization of Sunset Park (UPROSE). Since 1996 Elizabeth has helped shift UPROSE’s mission to one of advocacy and activism, playing an instrumental role in the NYC environmental justice movement. Home to highways, waste treatment plants, power plants and a number of other environmental hazards, Elizabeth has advocated for the fair treatment of and respect for the people of Red Hook and Sunset Park. Some of Elizabeth’s success’ include defeating an application for 520 mega-watt power plant in her community, helping to get the NYS Brownfield legislation passed, and developing a inclusive community planning model for the creation of the forthcoming UPROSE greenway. Elizabeth is also committed to her community’s youth, providing programs aimed at creating a new generation of leaders and activists. Early on, Elizabeth recognized that New York’s neighborhoods of color shouldered a disproportionate burden of the city’s most unwanted uses: power plants; sewage treatment plants; heavily used truck routes; sanitation garages. She leveraged this awareness to begin building the Organization of Waterfront Neighborhoods, whose community-based plan to make the removal of city garbage more sustainable recently became the core of the Mayor’s Solid Waste Plan. Recognizing common problems, identifying creative solutions, and organizing advocacy efforts to turn these solutions into citywide policy, Elizabeth embodies the highest qualities of a community planner.