Protecting and improving the community for the people who live and work here

Seen in M’Finda Kalunga: female American Redstart!

American Redstarts are common fall migrants across much of the East, and are often found in big numbers on good migration days.

Fall migration starts earlier than most people realize, with many shorebirds on the move by late June, and the first landbirds heading south soon thereafter. August through October are peak months, but migration continues into December for some species, especially shorter-distance landbirds (e.g., sparrows, blackbirds), raptors, waterfowl, and seabirds. Birds are often on the move every day during this entire period, but there are reasons that some days are better than others for observing them. The volume of migration depends on the weather, with many birds waiting until conditions are favorable before initiating migratory flights.

– ebird Cornell Bird Lab of Ornitholgy and Audubon.

This is what helps a Community Board decide what Park projects get funded.

And our park needs a lot of help (you’ve been letting us know!). Now is your chance to be heard.

Please come to support this park’s budget priorities – add yours!

Capital Projects:

-Stanton Building bathrooms renovated and opened to the public, return site to the neighborhood (bathrooms are nearly funded)

-Reconstruct the playground at Rivington 

-Fix the oval at Hester

-Reconstruct pathways at Broome Street

Expense:

Funding for: maintenance workers, tree pruners, rat abatement, and GreenThumb (which serves Community Gardens)

When? Wednesday, September 16th at 6:30pm 

Where? 59 East 4th Street (btwn 2nd Ave & Bowery)

CB 3 Public Hearing – FY 2017 Budget Priorities

Every year the Community Board submits a list of capital and expense budget priorities to city agencies. This hearing is your opportunity to have input into these district budget priorities. Tell us how money should be spent in Community Board 3.

Organizations, groups, and individuals representing all segments of the community are encouraged to participate.

From The Tribeca Trust regarding the effect of tall buildings and their shadows on our public parks.

And Community Board 5 Sunshine Task Force report – on the effects of overbuilding on Central Park.

THE PETITION TO CITY GOVERNMENT ON SHADOWS AND TALL BUILDINGS

We urge the City Council to amend (and urge Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer to support amending) local zoning laws as they relate to as-of-right development given the significant environmental impact of tall buildings over 25 stories. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should take into consideration density and congestion, the effect of shadows on parks, and the vulnerability of an area to sea rise and storm surges.  Zoning should allow for the following principles:

1. Limit height
2. Require an EIS on buildings over 25 stories (no as-of-right)
3. Consider existing density and congestion on neighborhood streets
4. Require operable windows
5. Adhere to the Public Trust and Open Space Doctrine*
6. Prohibit tall residential buildings in low lying areas subject to sea rise and storm surges
7. Contain a Sunshine Clause that prohibits shadows in parks caused by new development
8. Designate landmark-worthy sites and ensure contextual zoning in Historic Districts.

For more information check out the Lo-Down

Park’s Department staff and workers renovated the soccer field at Grand and Broome – in house! Faster, cheaper and better built! Thank you!!

And thanks to:

Commissioner Silver for his leadership

Council Member Margaret Chin for her steady funding and guidance in support of all our Parks

Senator Daniel Squadron for keeping Park Equity in the forefront of political discourse

To everyone for showing up!

Host: Jane B.

Where: M’Finda Kalunga Garden (in Manhattan)

When: Thursday, Sep. 10, at 6:00 p.m.

Candles will be lit for peace: “No war with Iran.” 

Thanks Chyna for the help this summer!

Thanks to the Tenement Museum staffers ‘Garden Club’ tending the Forsyth Garden Conservancy GreenThumb Garden.

And thanks to Terese Flores and Mike Bifulco of Parks for all the help!

Join NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver and community leaders on Tuesday, September 8 at 11am as he cuts the ribbon at the newly renovated Lion’s Gate Soccer Field at Sara D Roosevelt Park.

The work of the field was done by Park’s workers – faster and less expensive than using outside contractors.

Commissioner Silver: “Parks are public, democratic spaces…” ….”I believe in the Mayor’s vision of equity.” (from an interview in Next City)

The Lion’s Gate Soccer field is located in Sara D. Roosevelt Park between Broome and Grand Streets, and Chrystie and Forsyth Streets. The event will be held in the center of the field.

 If you plan on attending, please RSVP by replying to Helen Yanolatos <Helen.Yanolatos@parks.nyc.gov>

(Photo: Mayor Di Blasio and Commissioner Silver in Seward Park)

From DNAinfo:

Officers will highlight points of interest and historic locations.

Detective Vincent Cheung, Community Affairs for the 5th Precinct, said they would look out for  bicyclists concerns and will make a note of any they find.

They start off at Canal and Forsyth streets (the south end of the Park).

Bring water bottles – bag check will be available – 5th Precinct.

Sept. 9, 2015

After Aotearoa native son Tama Waipara  performed at Rockwood Music Hall, he stopped by M’Finda Kalunga Garden (Auntie is Co-Chair of the Garden Jane Barrer).  He and musician friends – including the beloved Maori singer/songwriter Maisey Rika – played and sang informally while Jane organized a potluck and birthday party – They are quite an awesome family! 

Other goings on in the Park: The weekly CSA from Farmer Ted held on Thursday evenings in the  M’Finda Kalunga Garden, The Tenement Museum continues to re-plot the plots of GreenThumb’s Forysth Garden Conservancy (with Partnerships for Parks Kirsti Bambridge) and a wedding in the Garden…and the SkyWatch tower to be moved out (says the Commissioner of Manhattan Parks)…thank you!