Midwood High School After the Upgrade

Despite all my squawking about the inaccessible park, the Midwood High School Science Annex project proves to be a nice improvement.

So Why Is This Much-Anticipated Park Off-Limits to the Community?

I don't know. To me, the above image depicts a bustling open-air community center where young kids play on the jungle gym while their parents compare notes with those of their playmates, teenagers practice their skateboard stunts, college students read over their notes before class & other local residents simply enjoy the day.  

There had been much local blog press about the Midwood High School Park over the lengthy course of its construction. Both Brooklyn Junction and yours truly kept our Flatbush neighbors updated at nearly every phase. See here & here.

Why, oh why then does the park look like this everyday since its opening in early September?

The short answer is depicted below:

Midwood HS park remains off-limits to the community two months after its completion

My guess as to the long answer to the question of why the open-space starved Flatbush community is being denied access to the new park has something to do with park maintenance or - lack thereof.  If this is the case, I (for one) have a few suggestions; Why not open the dilemma up to community? Perhaps there are residents, residents & more residents who wouldn't mind volunteering their time for clean up.  Maybe there is a Brooklyn College Student Organization that would want to help.  Or, maybe the Flatbush Development Corp., CAMBA or the Flatbush-Junction BID might offer some kind of solution.

At this point, the only people using the area are the students of PS 152 &/or PS 315 during their recess time.  While I'm very happy that the park is available to them for a short period of time during the school day, I can't see why these same neighborhood kids can't use the park after-school or on the weekends with their other friends and families.

FP would love to hear from the Flatbush community about the new park and our lack of access to it. Please leave a comment, explanation or suggestion if you are so moved.

A Bit More Progress on the Midwood HS Park Project

Cobblestones added and trees planted outside the Midwood HS Park Project. More landscaping added within the gates.  Things are coming along.

Sidewalk Set and Landscaping Added To Midwood HS Park

Midwood High School and its environs are beginning to look absolutely lovely as it readies for the completion of its new Science Complex and Park!

The sidewalk concrete was poured on Thursday and is setting nicely as I blog.

Landscaping has been tastefully added to the NW area of the space.

Artist's rendering of Midwood Project

Progress on Midwood HS Park!

There's been a bit of progress over at the Midwood HS park. Construction crew began to ready the front area yesterday to pour concrete for the sidewalk. The playground area has been fitted with safety mats and is looking good. I inquired with the crew about the possible opening and was told that the projection is late June.

Getting ready for the pour.

New safety Mats.

As a playground connoisseur (with roughly 7 years experience) the only problem with that opening date is that it will be hot as hell for most of the day. I think the plan for the space includes some tree planting so in about 5 years this place will be great all year. Until then, mama will just have to slather the kids up with SPF 95 and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Whatever. I'm going to find a way to enjoy this much-needed public space!

Progress on the Midwood HS-Bedford Avenue Park Development

For all of you who have been following the progression of the construction of the new public space being built across from Midwood High Artist's rendering of the Midwood HS park     School, right next to its soon-to-be-complete Science Annex, read on:

 

            While the sign outside of the site projects its completion by May 2008, it's pretty clear that 

that's not going to happen. But there has been some 

development as the new playground equipment has been delivered and installed.   A lot of us are really excited about the plans for this space since it offers the community some much needed public space.   

Images of the newly installed equipment: