Talking to residents of 8th Street between 8th Avenue and the Park, it was obvious why they were chosen as the Greenest Block in Brooklyn.

Block spirit!

Winners of the annual contest sponsored by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Greenbridge were selected by an expert panel of judges that included professional horticulturists from Brooklyn Botanic Garden, metro area horticulture professionals, gardening journalists, and other New York City greening organizations.

Mike and Joanne Dowding, whose 8th Street stoop was festooned with giant, tropical-looking elephant ear leaves, said that the block really pulled together with parties and events where everyone worked together. "And the opening of the tree pits. That really made a difference," he added.

Thandi Center of 8th Street said it was "the time and energy that people put into this" that resulted in their win.  According to Center, both sides of the block worked together on this effortful project. And it wasn’t just single family homes. "People in the apartment buildings got involved, too," she said.

"The block has come a long way in a year,"  Center said. She also cited events like the Wine and Mulch, a fun way to bring neighbors together for gardening activities. 

Borough President Marty Markowitz, who lives around the corner from the winning block, told the crowd that Park Slope is one of the most  beautiful places to live in the city and in the state.

"Tip of the trowel to the winning block in the most beautiful borough. There are no losers. This is just one more green jewel to our crown."

The second place tie for greenest block went to the East 25th Street Block Association in East Flatbush and the Sate Street Cathedral Block Asociation in Boerum.

The third place tie went to Schenectady Avenue Block Association in East Flatbush and the Bainbrige Homeowners and Tenants Block Association in Bed-Stuy.

In the commercial category, Bond Street from Atlantic to Pacific was the big winner. Innovative and environmentally sound irrigation techniques were cited. For the greenest storefront, first place went to Cake Man Raven at 708 Fulton Street.

Best window box award went to Kathy Geisler at 353 State Street. In Second place, Donna and Edward Drakes in Bed-Stuy (pictured).

So many neighborhoods were represented and it was a very diverse crowd at the ceremony on 8th Street.  I believe Bed-Stuy may have won the most awards but there were winners and runners-ups from Crown Heights, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Boerum Hill, Prospect Park South Lefferts Gardens, Clinton Hill, Sheepshead Bay, Downtown, and East Flatbush.

For a complete list of winners, runner ups, and honorable mentions, go to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden website.