For the Love of Brooklyn » parks and museums

happy new year!

Jill — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:26:54 +0000

The last few days have afforded me some time for reflection, and I am so looking forward to the promises and opportunities that a new year brings. This past year has been huge for me — a new consulting career, a new house to renovate, new friends and coworkers. I’ve risen to challenges, redefined my goals, and redrawn my boundaries — and not always in the healthiest of ways. Only in the past few weeks have I realized that despite all the newness of the past year, I haven’t taken enough time for myself.

Last night in Red Hook, as the sun set one final time in 2011, I made a silent commitment as I looked out over the bay. I’m not yet sure what my resolutions will be this year, but they definitely include far more *me* time. Bring on the selfishness! Today I celebrated by taking a decadent walk through Prospect Park. The sunshine was wonderful. Out with the old and in with the new, indeed.

Here’s to a great year ahead, and may your 2012 be filled with lots of *you* time!

shaking off the summertime

Jill — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:04:05 +0000

The night air has a chill now, and truthfully, it’s hard to believe October is here. Where did September go?! Though my flowers keep on blooming, it’s clear that we’ve finally shaken the last warm days of summer. I’ve been going through photos of this past summer in Prospect Park and just wanted to share a little warmth over my cup of tea tonight. Enjoy!

prospect park litter mob meets tuesday!

Jill — Sun, 22 May 2011 15:39:36 +0000

If you’re an avid reader of 66 Square Feet, as am I, you know about Marie’s grassroots campaign to step up and volunteer to help rid Prospect Park of the grit and grime of a certain section of the woods to which city and parks department officials have long turned a blind eye. The last litter mob met up on May 10th, and collected bags and bags of trash.

The next Litter Mob is on Tuesday morning, May 24th at 9am sharp. If you’d like to participate, RSVP to Marie ASAP. The group will meet at the corner of East Drive and Center Drive in the Midwood, just south of the zoo [map below]. Trash-grabbers, gloves, and bags will be provided — as well as a sense of great satisfaction in helping preserve one of Brooklyn’s greatest treasures.

happy easter from my brooklyn to yours!

Jill — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 14:12:10 +0000

Each and every day, it seems Brooklyn is slowly but surely waking up from its winter slumber. Last weekend at the Botanic Garden, it seemed that everything was bursting with color and life! I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy this holiday weekend and spend time with family and friends. Here’s a little cheer from my Brooklyn to yours!

sunday stroll through the botanic garden

Jill — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:17:42 +0000

What a glorious afternoon yesterday! We headed to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden after lunch at Tom’s in Prospect Heights, and the warm spring weather couldn’t have been any better. And though the magnolias and cherry trees are beautiful right now, I’d happily argue it was just as much fun to watch all the people out enjoying the weather. I’m definitely checking out the BBG’s “cherry watch” map almost every day in anticipation of the main walk’s glorious bloomfest – at this rate, it should be happening very soon!

But for now, I’m going to sit at my desk and remember the spring breeze and sunshine on my face.

polaroid heaven at the bbg

Jill — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:15:44 +0000

This morning, I spotted the work of photographer Ravi Jolly, who has been doing a series of Polaroid images shot at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. So, so pretty. (He also does a great timeseries Tumblr with a daily photo from 30 Rock!) Check out some of my favorites below!

Who’s heading to Prospect Heights this weekend to see the cherry blossoms?!

brooklyn bonsai, in fall’s flush

Jill — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 05:21:11 +0000

Hot Tip: Magic is currently on display in the greenhouse of the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Over the weekend, I stumbled across the beautiful collection of bonsai displaying their amazing fall foliage in brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. Breathtaking and awe-inspiring. Definitely recommended!

prospect park: at the tennis house

Jill — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:48:20 +0000

Perched on a hill east of the 9th Street entrance to Prospect Park sits one of my favorite buildings in Brooklyn: the Tennis House. Built in 1910 by the architects Helmle and Huberty, the structure features “a Palladian colonnaded pavilion with a Guastavino tile ceiling.” According to Prospect Park’s history of the Tennis House, its neoclassical style marked a “sharp departure” in Frederick Law Olmsted’s traditionally-rustic tastes and was originally designed to provide storage and shelter for 300 lawn tennis courts (!) on the Long Meadow.

Though ladies in prim hats, full skirts, and bustles no longer grace the courts, the Tennis House still presides over the shady hilltop as a graceful reminder of its genteel past.

I think I’ll leave my racket at home and bring a picnic blanket, a good book and enjoy the view.

celebrate brooklyn: a night in prospect park

Jill — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:19:38 +0000

One week ago, I headed to Prospect Park on a beautiful Saturday evening to meet up with friends before seeing the Daptone Super-Soul Revue at the bandshell. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings brought down the house as one of the last shows of the Celebrate Brooklyn series, and they played to a full house under the stars.

If you haven’t heard of the great Ms. Jones, this article from NYMag is a must-read. It was a real pleasure to see her perform, showing off her moves (and giant voice) in a beautiful blue-sequined dress. Metromix has a great series of photos from the show, and for me, the people-watching was a great opening act.

My vintage Leica was happy to come along for the show…

afro-punk festival 2010

Matt — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:32:47 +0000

I rode my bike to Commodore Barry Park early Sunday afternoon to take photos for NYMag.com of the
Afro-Punk Festival. To put it very simply, afro-punk music is alternative/punk music that is created by musicians of African descent. Much like traditional punk, afro-punk is not just a genre, but also a community. To quote from afropunk.com:

Afro-Punk became a touchstone of a cultural movement strongly reminiscent of the early days of Hip-Hop. Alternative urban kids across the nation (and across the globe) who felt like outsiders discovered they were actually the core of a boldly innovative, fast-growing community.

With the temperature in the 90′s and little-to-no breeze, I was surprised to see the festival already buzzing along. The BMX “Battle For The Streets” had gathered a crowd on the street course — complete with stair-set, rails, and grind boxes. The contest ended on a high note with one overachiever doing a backflip off of the ramp and out of the course.

The local vendors were out in flux. There were bikers and skaters riding around, and graffiti artists tagging a wall that had been built for the event. It was a really great day in Brooklyn. Though I don’t identify myself as an afro-punk or even a punk for that matter, I did not feel ostracized by the scene (as can often be the case in scenes). The music was great, and as diverse as the crowd, from hip hop to punk, pop to hardcore, soul to funk-infused metal.

Martin Luther (left) 24-7 Spyz (right)

J* Davey (left) K-OS (right)

Cool Kids

Mos Def, headlining the festival (above and below)