2014 Shaping the Future of New York Fridays: 11:00-1:45 Boylan Hall, 2231

Some people don’t even have to leave their block to go to the dentist

Couldn’t think of anything. Buildings are being restored…

FITNESS!!!! ON A SLOPE

What does organic even mean? It’s just like better right?

Namaste

Do you have enough fiber in your body?

Center of Recreations…

FITNESS NOT ON A SLOPE!!!

I really like this picture

Eww, Gross

Mozarts and Einsteins

This was actually super interesting because I always play handball at 4th ave and 4th st and I had no idea the Gowanus Canal was just a few blocks away being all gross.
SECTION 1: Grand Army Plaza to 5th

There was a pharmacy, a fitness center, a few yoga spots, a sushi place and I also saw that crate that James was talking about. Those usually show up in construction sites so my guess was that one of the buildings was recently restored. I don’t know how it will be disposed of though

SECTION 2: 5th to Nevins

I agree with James, the area is becoming more industrial as you walk however, nowhere is too dirty to live. Some unfortunate soul is there dealing with his surroundings there .

SECTION 3: Union Street Bridge

I didn’t smell anything but the cold might have been affecting my smell. There was at least one factory in the distance and there was a lot of smoke. The water was a disturbing color, I wouldn’t exactly swim in it.

Section 4: The Carroll Street Bridge

I’m pretty sure it was low tide but I have no idea what high tide looks like so what do I know?

If the high tide increase 3 ft I think it would hold but rain would be a very serious problem.

Section I: Union Street from Grand Army Plaza to 5th Avenue

Walking down Union Street, every block in Park Slope is tree-lined and features renovated historic brownstones. The sidewalks and streets are well paved, allowing ease for joggers, many of which were sighted during my walk despite the cold. Healthy food options as well as establishments for exercise came one after the other. SLOPE fitness, Park Slope Yoga, the Health and Wellness center, next to the organic food store, next to the Park Slope Food Coop, followed by the bicycle shop, are a few of these establishments that support health.

Section II: 5th Avenue to Nevins Street

Walking down Union Street, once 5^th avenue is crossed, houses are no longer renovated-historic brownstones. More properties are heavily gated and businesses begin to have multi-lingual signs, indicating demographic differences between the two vicinities. Small businesses, restaurants, and wellness centers begin to get replaced by multiple auto shops and large gated lots.

There remains various choices for exercise centers, for example there is a gym, then a boot camp, and a martial arts center, healthy food options decrease however, the only organic food store after 5th avenue is a juice shop that is currently closed.

 Section III: Union Street Bridge

The Canal is surrounded by warehouses, and what seems to be a bus depot on the left side of the picture above. In the picture below, there is large piping in the water, its source unknown, as well as its contents. The large blue and white  plastic containers to the right of the photo are also questionable with regards to contaminating the canal.

Section IV: The Carroll Street Bridge

The water level is definitely at low tide because the green mold reaches to about mid-pipe. If high tide was about three feet taller, there would be no flow out of this pipe and sewage water would rise back up to where it is coming from.

Section I: Union Street part 1

Three things that support health in this neighborhood: proximity to Prospect Park, various types of medical centers and places associated with health (e.g. yoga), options for healthy food.

Section II: Union Street part 2

Proximity to Prospect Park is significantly decreased; no more medical or health centers that I noticed; only specifically “healthy” food option is Juice Haven, which is (a) closed and (b) debatably healthy. There’s a large billboard advertising alcohol.

I was surprised by the number of auto repair shops on this section of Union Street. As I walked down the street, the brownstones and health-centric places gave way to auto repair shops, warehouse-type buildings, and parking lots with razor wire around tall fences. Despite the colorful murals by 4th Ave., it feels less friendly.

Section III: Union Street Bridge

The Gowanus Canal doesn’t smell as bad as I had expected it to (or maybe my sense of smell was diminished from being out in the cold and consequently having a runny nose). However, it’s clearly an industry-oriented place from the signage, buildings, trash in the canal, and the smell. I also noticed a parking lot full of buses, which probably deteriorates air quality further from exhaust pollution.

Section IV: Carroll Street Bridge

When I walked over the bridge, it looked like it was between mid- and high tide. The water line is visible on the metal retaining wall between the two bridges. If high tide were three feet higher, it looks like the dirt banks (to the right of the brick pipe, from my vantage point) would come dangerously close to overflowing. With a storm, I think they definitely would overflow, exposing residents to the toxins in the water.