This particular podwalk was done with James and Jairam. Last semester in the Science and Technology of New York seminar we also went on a podwalk for the Gowanus Canal but with a focus on the general environment, not on public health.
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- Mozarts and Einsteins
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- Park Slope Fitness
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- Sanitation Truck
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- Yoga Fitness Store
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- Food Coop
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- Flyer for Community Events
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- Community Garden
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- Lower Avenues
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- Business on Lower Avenue
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- Business on Lower Avenue
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- Businesses on Gowanus Canal
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- Gowanus Canal
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- Sign
Park Slope is a neighborhood that had become highly gentrified and as such had begun to have a greater availability of healthy living options. On the walk from Union Street and 8th Avenue down to 4th there were a number of yoga centers, organic food markets, food coops, and community centers with a variety of programs (including an arthritis yoga event). The number of different variations of gyms and fitness centers was astounding as my neighborhood does not have one around at all. There was nothing of particular interest that could have been damaging to resident’s health aside from the general construction crates around the area and even that was not as negative to health as just physically unappealing.
From 4th Avenue to Nevins there were significantly less fresh food alternatives and organic food markets and instead more delis were situated throughout. Also, the number of brownstones decreased as more industrial businesses began to appear. It no longer had the uniform appearance of the upper areas.
Upon first reaching the Gowanus Canal we smelled something close to rotten eggs, a smell characteristic of sulfur. There was a plastic ring placed in the water and it worked to prevent some of the dirt and refuse from drifting further down the canal. There is a higher concentration of residential businesses in the area and there was smoke flowing from one of the buildings very heavily. This can damage air quality as well.
One particular thing to note was the sign plastered on the Carrol Street bridge indicating that overflowing water could cause sewage and water to mix, exposing residents to bacteria. We also believed that it was currently high tide as we could not see any patterns on the walls of a higher water level. From this analysis we believe that if it were 3 feet higher than the canal would overflow.
Overall the Gowanus Canal has been heavily polluted and it will take many years to recover from the refuse as well as the bacteria that now inherently lives in the water supply. Residents are influenced in direct ways with air quality and bacteria levels but also in indirect ways as the neighborhood around them has less centers geared towards public health. There is a clear divide in the neighborhood between Park Slope and the Gowanus Canal.
Also, not quite sure if this is how the format should be but I tried my best. Apologies if there are too many pictures!
