BIKERS AND WALKERS: ANSWER A SURVEY ABOUT THE CITY'S PLAN TO EXPAND THE GREATER GREENWAY NETWORK

New York City is home to North America’s oldest greenway, Brooklyn's own Ocean Parkway. It's also the home of the nation's oldest bike path, opened in 1894.

Several New York City agencies are currently working together to enhance and expand the 506-mile greenway network, with the goal of providing high-quality, continuous biking and walking facilities in all five boroughs.

The Greater Greenways Long-Term Expansion Plan is a citywide initiative that the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the New York City Department of Transportation, and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation are leading.

A 90-page PDF of the full plan is available at https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/greater-greenways.pdf. It is presented in two chapters: "Greenways of Today" and "Greenways of Tomorrow." 

What is meant by "greenways": continuous, multi-use corridors designed for human-powered and electric-assist transportation and recreation.

Defined and named through community-driven planning, greenways often follow natural or man-made linear spaces such as railways, highways, rivers, waterfronts, and parkland.

A survey and interactive map support this expansion plan. You can provide feedback by participating in the five-minute survey about the design of future greenways across New York City. The survey closes on Monday, March 2nd, at 5:00 p.m.

 

RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE: CHIPPING SITES, DROP-OFF SITES, AND CURBSIDE PICKUP

 

Chipping Sites

Saturday, January 10th

Sunday, January 11th 

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

Christmas trees will be recycled into wood chips to nourish trees and plants on city streets and in city parks, ball fields, and community gardens at Mulchfest, the Department of Parks & Recreation's annual Christmas tree recycling event.

 

Before you bring your tree to a Mulchfest site, remove the stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and all other ornaments and decorations.

 

Bring it to any chipping location in the five boroughs on Saturday, January 10th, or Sunday, January 11th, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and get a bag of free mulch from your chipped tree to nourish your own trees or street trees.

 

Brooklyn has several chipping locations, including one in Windsor Terrace at Machate Circle/Park Circle at Parkside Avenue and Prospect Park Southwest and one in Park Slope at Prospect Park West and Third Street.

The chipping locations in all five boroughs are indicated by a green symbol () on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down to the interactive map or to the borough-by-borough sites listed below the map. Not all of the sites offer a bag of free mulch.

Drop-off Sites
Friday, December 26th, through Sunday, January 11th

Some Parks Department's tree recycling locations won't have chipping equipment on-site; at those locations, you can drop your tree off. It'll get chipped sometime later.

Drop-off sites will accept Christmas trees every day during park hours from Friday, December 26th, through Sunday, January 11th. Prospect Park is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

 

Leave your tree along the Prospect Park perimeter fence near Prospect Park West and Third Street and at Park Circle.

Before you bring your tree to a drop-off site, remove the stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and all other ornaments and decorations.

 

A bag of mulch to take home won't be available at the drop-off sites.

 

Drop-off locations in all five boroughs are indicated by a white symbol () on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down past the interactive map to see the borough-by-borough listings.

 

Curbside Collection

Year-round

 

Curbside collection by the Sanitation Department used to take place for several days in January. But now, real trees and wreaths that are placed at the curb are collected weekly on your recycling and compost day year-round.

 

Put them next to your other compostable materials. The trees will be turned into compost or renewable energy.

 

Before placing your tree at the curb, remove everything from it: lights, tinsel, stands, netting, and all other decorations and ornaments.

P.S. 179 SCHOOLYARD IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IN THE "SCHOOLYARDS TO PLAYGROUNDS" PROGRAM

 

P.S. 179 has joined the list of 268 New York City public schools that already participate in the city's Schoolyards to Playgrounds program, which was launched in 2007. The schoolyards are open to the public when school isn't in session. 

 

During the school year, the schoolyards are open from Monday through Friday from the end of the school day until dusk and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to dusk. During the summer, they're open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to dusk.

 

New York City established a goal in 2015 of having 85% of New Yorkers live within walking distance of a park or open space by 2030. The Schoolyards to Playgrounds program increases the public's access to green space in neighborhoods that are further away from a park than a ten-minute walk (one-quarter of a mile).

 

The Schoolyards to Playgrounds program is co-managed by the Department of Education, Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Trust for Public Land.

Location

P.S. 179

202 Avenue C

between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets

Kensington, Brooklyn

 

GREENWOOD PLAYGROUND HANDBALL AND PICKLEBALL RENOVATION

 

 

At Greenwood Playground, reconstruction of the handball courts and construction of pickleball courts will begin the week of March 17, 2025.

 

The project will take about one year to complete, the projected completion date is March 2026. On average, construction for such projects takes twelve to eighteen months.

 

Additional details about design, procurement, and construction are on the Parks Department website at https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/10394.

 

Greenwood Playground is bounded by Fort Hamilton Parkway, E. 5th Street, Greenwood Avenue, and the Prospect Expressway.

 

UPDATE ON RECONSTRUCTION OF GREENWOOD PLAYGROUND HANDBALL COURTS AND ADDITION OF PICKLEBALL COURTS

 

Greenwood Playground Handball Courts Reconstruction

Tuesday, May 30th, 6:30 p.m.

 

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation will meet with the Community Board 7 Parks Committee about the reconstruction of the Greenwood Playground handball courts and construction of pickleball courts.

 

An update on the development of the schematic design will be given on Zoom at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30th. The meeting is open to the public, and people are welcome to comment.

The projected completion date of the design phase for various areas of the playground is November 2023. That will be followed by the procurement phase, which lasts about nine months, and the construction phase, about twelve to eighteen months.

The Parks Department met with the public last November to gather suggestions about the reconstruction and improvement of the courts.

 

Register to attend the Zoom webinar at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZHtmUV1GQDGzSORpbiTkIg#/registration. You can attend with a computer, tablet, or smartphone, or via audio only from any kind of phone.

The meeting can also be viewed on the CB 7 YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcAZ1cECSeZI8iNyQDKuX5Q.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Community Board 7

4201 4th Avenue (entrance on 43rd Street) (map)

Sunset Park, Brooklyn

phone: (718) 854-0003

fax: (718) 436-1142

bk07@cb.nyc.gov

http://www1.nyc.gov/site/brooklyncb7/index.page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-Community-Board-7/195263140637225

https://twitter.com/bkcb7

https://www.instagram.com/brooklyncb7

 

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING: CHIPPING SITES, DROP-OFF SITES, AND CURBSIDE PICKUP

 

Chipping Sites

Saturday, January 8th, and Sunday, January 9th, 

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

At its annual Christmas tree recycling event, the Department of Parks and Recreation will turn trees into wood chips that will be used to nourish trees and plants on city streets and in city parks, ball fields, and community gardens.

 

Before bringing the tree to a Mulchfest site, remove the stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and every other ornament or decoration.

 

Bring your tree to any chipping location in the five boroughs on Saturday, January 8th, or Sunday, January 9th, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and get a bag of free mulch from your chipped tree to use on your own trees and/or on street trees.

 

Wear a face covering and distance yourself from other people by at least six feet.

Brooklyn has several chipping locations, including those at Machate Circle/Park Circle (Parkside Avenue and Prospect Park Southwest) and one at Prospect Park West at Third Street.

Chipping locations in all five boroughs are indicated on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down to the interactive map or to the borough-by-borough sites listed below the map.

Drop-off Sites
Sunday, December 26th, through Sunday, January 9th

During Mulchfest, some Parks Department's locations won't have chipping equipment on-site; at those locations, you can drop your tree off, but it won't get chipped until sometime after you drop it off.

Drop-off sites will accept Christmas trees every day from Sunday, December 26th, through Sunday, January 9th.

Before you bring your tree to a drop-off site, remove the stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and any other ornaments and decorations.

 

A bag of mulch to take home won't be available at drop-off sites.

 

Drop-off locations in all five boroughs are indicated on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down past the interactive map to see the borough-by-borough listings.

 

Curbside Collection

Thursday, January 6th, through Saturday, January 15th 

 

Weather permitting, the Sanitation Department will collect clean Christmas trees from Thursday, January 6th, through Saturday, January 15th. Trees won't necessarily be collected on the same day as your regular trash or recycling. 

 

The trees will be chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost for the city's parks, institutions, and community gardens. 

 

Before placing your tree at the curb, remove everything from it: lights, tinsel, stands, netting, and all other decorations and ornaments.

RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE AT A CHIPPING OR DROP-OFF SITE OR CURBSIDE

 

Chipping Sites

Saturday, January 2nd, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 9th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

At its 25th annual Christmas tree recycling event, the Department of Parks and Recreation will turn trees into wood chips that will be used to nourish trees and plants on city streets, in city parks and ball fields, and in community gardens.

Bring your tree to any of the chipping locations throughout the five boroughs on January 2nd or 9th between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Wear a face covering and practice social distancing by remaining at least six feet away from other people.

Before bringing the tree to a Mulchfest site, remove the stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and every other ornament or decoration.

Among Brooklyn's several chipping locations are one at Park Circle (Parkside Avenue and Prospect Park Southwest) and one at Prospect Park West at Third Street.

Chipping locations in all five boroughs are indicated on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down to the interactive map or the borough-by-borough listings.

The Parks Department will give you free mulch, if you want it, to use on your own trees or on street trees. This year, you'll need to bring your own bag.

 

Drop-off Sites
Saturday, December 26th, through Saturday, January 9th

During Mulchfest, some of the Parks Department's locations won't have chipping equipment on-site; those locations are for tree drop-off only. Sometime after you drop off your tree, it will be recycled.

Drop-off sites will accept Christmas trees every day from Saturday, December 26th, through Saturday, January 9th.

Before you bring your tree to a drop-off site, remove the stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations.

 

Mulch will not be available at the drop-off sites.

 

Drop-off locations in all five boroughs are indicated on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down to the interactive map or the borough-by-borough listings.

 

Curbside Collection

Monday, January 4th, through Friday, January 15th

Weather permitting, the Sanitation Department will collect clean Christmas trees from Monday, January 4th, through Friday, January 15th. They won't necessarily be collected on the same day as your regular trash or recycling.

The trees will be chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost for the city's parks, institutions, and community gardens. Before placing your tree at the curb, remove everything from it: lights, tinsel, stands, netting, and all other decorations and ornaments.  

OCEAN PARKWAY COMMUNITY LITTER CLEANUP SCHEDULED

 

Update: On Saturday morning, if it's raining at 8:00 or 8:30, the community cleanup will be rescheduled for Sunday, August 30th, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

--------------------------------

 

Ocean Parkway Cleanup

Saturday, August 29th, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Neighborhood residents who don't like the unsightly, unhealthy litter on their streets will continue working together to remove it from the Ocean Parkway service road and pedestrian mall on the east side of Ocean Parkway later this month.

Meet up with the Ocean Parkway Cleanup Crew and The Kensington Stewards on the east side of Ocean Parkway (the side near E. 7th Street) at the intersection of Church Avenue. From there, everyone will work their way south to Avenue C.

The Sanitation Department and the Parks Department will loan some cleanup supplies (grabbers, brooms, etc.), but bring your own cleanup tools, if you have any. The Sanitation Department will pick up the filled trash bags shortly afterward.

This cleanup event will take place on Saturday, August 29th. Drop in to help for however long you can between 9:00 a.m. and noon.

In addition to this and the two previous organized group efforts, people have been picking up litter on their own or with a friend or two. All efforts are appreciated!

Wear a face mask to protect each other from COVID-19, and wear gloves to protect your hands from any litter you might handle.

Invite adults and children from the neighborhood to join in on this ongoing community project.

Ocean Parkway Cleanup and The Kensington Stewards are grassroots groups working toward the betterment of Kensington.

Ocean Parkway Cleanup
https://www.facebook.com/groups/324239235266854/

The Kensington Stewards
https://www.facebook.com/groups/318994119465752/

OCEAN PARKWAY GREEN SPACE UPGRADE; REZONING IN EAST WINDSOR TERRACE

Ocean Parkway Pedestrian Bridge - Parks Upgrades;

Rezoning International Baptist Church Property and Other Stable Brooklyn/East Windsor Terrace Locations

Wednesday January 23rd, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

From New York City Councilmember Brad Lander

The New York City Parks Department will discuss potential upgrades to the two green spaces on either side of the Ocean Parkway Service Road.

Last year Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and I allocated $650,000 to refurbish the sitting area on East 8th Street and the park on Sherman Street, and at this meeting the Parks Department will update us on their plans and listen to your suggestions for how to improve these spaces.

We will also share updates on the different development projects in the "Stable Brooklyn" area, including the rezoning of nearby 57 Caton Place, and the preservation of Kensington Stables.

We will have a presentation from the developers of 312 Coney Island Avenue (where the International Baptist Church is located). They will present a new proposal to rezone the property and build a mixed-use development with residential units. The presentation is not part of formal land use review process. Instead, this community meeting is an opportunity to offer feedback on the proposal before a rezoning application is filed.
 

I understand that there are many different development projects underway in this part of the neighborhood, so we will have time to share updates, think holistically about the broader issues and needs facing the area, and talk about how neighbors can be involved.

Please RSVP by emailing Catherine Zinnel in my District Office at czinnel @ council.nyc.gov.

Meeting location

P.S. 130 Upper School
713 Caton Avenue
between E. 7th and E. 8th streets

Windsor Terrace - Kensington, Brooklyn
 

CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL METHODS: AT THE CURB OR IN A PARK

Curbside Collection 

Wednesday, January 2nd, through Saturday, January 12th

Discarded Christmas trees will be picked up for composting during the Department of Sanitation's annual Christmas tree curbside collection program. Weather permitting, collection will begin on Wednesday, January 2nd, and end on Saturday, January 12th.

Before putting a tree at the curb, remove the tree stand and the netting, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations. Don't put the tree in a plastic bag.

Clean, non-bagged trees will be ground into wood chips, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost for use in city parks, institutions, and community gardens.

Trees that still have decorations on them will be collected as garbage and not composted.

Trees put out at the curb before January 2nd or after January 12th will also be collected as garbage and not composted. 

Artificial trees that are mostly made of either metal or rigid plastic can be put next to your recycling container on regular recycling days, after removing ornaments from them. But if the tree is taller than four feet, schedule a bulk pick-up appointment.

Artificial trees that aren't mostly metal or rigid plastic will be collected as part of your regular garbage. 

Artificial trees that are four feet or smaller can be thrown out with your regular garbage.

Artificial trees in good condition can also be donated or sold. See donateNYC for details.

Mulchfest

Saturday, January 12th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 13th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

At its annual Christmas tree recycling event, the Department of Parks and Recreation will accept trees and recycle them into wood chips to nourish trees and plants on city streets and in community gardens.

Bring your tree to any of the chipping locations throughout the five boroughs on January 12th or 13th between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Remove the tree stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and every other ornament or decoration before you bring the tree to Mulchfest.

Among Brooklyn's chipping locations are one at Prospect Park (Third Street at Prospect Park West) and one at Park Circle at Parkside Avenue.

All of the chipping locations are listed on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down the page and choose a borough.

The Parks Department will give you a free bag of mulch, if you want one, to use on your own trees or on street trees. The department will provide the bags.

Drop-off
Friday, January 4th, through Sunday, January 13th

Not all of the Parks Department's locations have chipping equipment on-site during Mulchfest; those locations are for drop-off only. Sometime after you drop off your tree, it will be recycled.

Drop-off sites will accept Christmas trees during the two days of Mulchfest (January 12th and 13th) as well as every other day from Friday, January 4th, through Sunday, January 13th.

Before you bring your tree to a drop-off site, remove the tree stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations.

CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL LOCATIONS

Curbside Collection

Tuesday, January 2nd, through
Saturday, January 13th

Discarded Christmas trees will be picked up for composting during the Department of Sanitation's annual Christmas tree curbside collection program. Weather permitting, collection will begin on Tuesday, January 2nd, and end on Saturday, January 13th.

Trees put out at the curb before January 2nd or after January 13th will be collected as garbage; they won't be composted.

Before putting a tree at the curb, remove the tree stand and the netting, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations that are on the tree. Don't put the tree in a plastic bag.

Clean, non-bagged trees will be ground into wood chips, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost that will be used in city parks, institutions, and community gardens.

Trees that still have decorations on them will be collected as garbage.

Put out artificial trees that are mostly made of either metal or rigid plastic on regular recycling days, after removing ornaments from them. If they aren't mostly metal or rigid plastic, put them with your regular garbage.

Mulchfest

Saturday, January 6th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 7th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

At its annual Christmas tree recycling event, the Department of Parks and Recreation will accept trees and recycle them into wood chips to nourish trees and plants on city streets and in community gardens.

Bring your tree to any of the chipping locations throughout the five boroughs on January 6th or 7th between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Remove the tree stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and every other ornament or decoration before you bring the tree to Mulchfest.

Brooklyn's chipping locations include one at Prospect Park (Third Street at Prospect Park West) and one at Park Circle at Parkside Avenue.

All of the chipping locations are listed on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down the page and choose a borough.

The Parks Department will give you a free bag of mulch, if you want one, to use on your own trees or on street trees. The department will provide the bags.

Drop-off
Sunday, December 31st, through Sunday, January 7th

During Mulchfest, not all of the Parks Department's locations have chipping equipment on-site; those locations are for tree drop-off only. Sometime after you drop off your tree, it will be recycled.

Drop-off sites will accept Christmas trees during the two days of Mulchfest (January 6th and 7th) as well as every other day from Sunday, December 31st, through Sunday, January 7th.

Before you bring your tree to a drop-off site, remove the tree stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations.

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING OPTIONS: CURBSIDE COLLECTION, MULCHFEST, AND DROP-OFF

Curbside Collection

Monday, January 4th, through Friday, January 15th

Discarded Christmas trees will be picked up for recycling during the Department of Sanitation's annual Christmas tree curbside collection program. Collection will begin on Monday, January 4th, and end on Friday, January 15th.

Before putting a tree at the curb, remove the tree stand and all netting, tinsel, lights, and all other ornaments and decorations that are on it. Don't put the tree into a plastic bag. Clean, non-bagged trees will be ground into wood chips, mixed with leaves, and recycled into mulch that will be used in city parks, playing fields, and community gardens.

Mulchfest

Saturday, January 9th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 10th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

At its 20th annual Christmas tree recycling event, the Department of Parks and Recreation will turn trees into wood chips that will nourish trees and plants on city streets, in city parks and ball fields, and in community gardens.

Bring your tree to any of the thirty chipping locations throughout the five boroughs on January 9th or 10th between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Remove the tree stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and every other ornament or decoration before you bring the tree to Mulchfest.

Brooklyn will have eight chipping locations, including one at Prospect Park (Third Street at Prospect Park West) and one at Prospect Park Circle (Parkside Avenue and Prospect Park Southwest).

All thirty chipping locations are listed on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down the page and choose a borough.

The Parks Department will give you a free bag of mulch, if you want one, to use on your own trees or on street trees. The department will provide the bags.

Drop-off
Saturday, January 2nd, through Sunday, January 10th

During Mulchfest, some of the Parks Department's locations won't have chipping equipment on-site; those forty-eight locations (eleven in Brooklyn) are for tree drop-off only. Sometime after you drop yours off, it will be recycled.

Drop-off sites will accept Christmas trees during the two days of Mulchfest (January 9th and 10th) as well as every other day from Saturday, January 2nd, through Sunday, January 10th.

Before you bring your tree to a drop-off site, remove the tree stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations.


For more information on Christmas tree collection and recycling or Mulchfest,

• see http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/about/press-releases/pr2015/12242015.shtml, or
• see http://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/festivals/mulchfest, or
• call 311.

TREECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE AT MULCHFEST 2014

Christmas Tree Chipping at Mulchfest

Saturday, January 11th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 12th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Your Christmas tree can fulfill a second purpose at New York City's 18th annual Mulchfest. At this tree recycling event, trees are turned into wood chips that will nourish trees and plants on city streets, in city parks and ball fields, and in community gardens. 

Mulchfest will be held in all of the boroughs. The locations are listed on the Department of Parks & Recreation's website (scroll down and choose a borough). Two of the chipping locations in Brooklyn are at Prospect Park (Third Street at Prospect Park West) and Prospect Park Circle (Parkside Avenue and Prospect Park Southwest).

If you'd like to take home some free mulch, bring a sturdy bag with you.

Remove the tree stand, tinsel, lights, and every other ornament or decoration from the tree before you bring it to Mulchfest.

Christmas Tree Drop-off

Saturday, January 4th, through Sunday, January 12th

Some locations won't have chipping equipment on-site during Mulchfest. They're designated for tree drop-off only. Sometime after they're dropped off, the trees will be recycled.

Drop-off sites will accept Christmas trees not only during the two days of Mulchfest but every day from Saturday, January 4th, through Sunday, January 12th. Some drop-off sites will give away mulch.

Before you bring your tree to a drop-off site, remove the tree stand, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations on it.