Civics and Urban Life

And the Greenest Block in Brooklyn Is…

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Photo(2)  The Brooklyn Botanic Garden Greenbridge Community Horticulrural Program announced this morning that Lincoln Road between Rogers and Bedford Avenue in Lefferts Gardens is the 2009 Greenest Block in Brooklyn in the residential category. The award goes to the Lincoln Road R&B Block Association for all their hard work and good gardening. 

And boy does that block deserve the award. They do some serious gardening over there and I've got the iPhone pictures to prove it.

What I liked best is that they've created curbside gardens meaning they've cut out large areas of sidewalk and planted there. Not only is this gorgeous but it reduces storm water overflow and that's a good thing.

Borough President Marty Markowitz was on hand to lend some clever word-smithing:

"It's another beautiful day in the Green Republic of Brooklyn. A tip of the trowel to the most beautiful block…There's nothing this neighborhood can't accomplish. They really understand the meaning of community. People have set down strong roots and with hard work allowed their piece of Brooklyn to flourish…" All pictures are of Lincoln Road, the winning block. The first two shots are of the incredibly lush curbside gardens.

Photo(3)Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s
GreenBridge community environmental horticulture program judge the contest and give out the awards.

Eugene Mathieu, City councilman for the 40th district which includes Lincoln Road, was on hand to congratulate the winners. In his lilting Haitian accent he said: "Thanks to all of you who have worked hard to make my district—our district—such a beautiful place."

This year more than 250 blocks—the most ever—participated in the borough-wide greening effort.

Contest
winners were selected through a rigorous process 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.

First Prize is a
$300 check for each top residential and commercial block winner. All
other finalists receive cash prizes ranging from $100–$200. Best
Community Garden Streetscape, Best Window Box, Greenest Storefront, and
Best Street Tree Beds winners will receive cash prizes or gardening
tools, and all participants will be awarded a recognition certificate.

Photo(5) Second place tie in the residential category:

East 25th Street Block Association for East 25th between Clarendon Road and Avenue D. in East Flatbush

Vanderveer Place Block Association for Vanderveer Places between Flatbush and East 23rd Street.

In the Commercial Category:

1st place: Mid-Atlantic Block Assocation for Atlantic Avenue between Bond and Nevin Streets, Couth Side, Boerum Hill.

Best Street Tree Beds:

1st place: McDonought/Macon/Stuyvesant/Lewis Block Association for MacDonought Street between Stuyvesant and Lewis Avenues in Bed-Stuy.

Greenest Storefront:

1st place: General Greene, 229 Dekalb Avenue at Clermont Avenue
2nd place: Burrito Bar on Flatbush Avenue
3rd place: Tom's Restuarant
3rd place tie: Habana Outpost in Fort Greene

One thought on “And the Greenest Block in Brooklyn Is…”

  1. Those winners that placed certainly deserve to win and I am sure there are other people in Brooklyn who have put the love and energy forth to beautify and be green with their “frontage.” Lovely pictures and just such a great thing to see in Brooklyn

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