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

From a Gardeners:

Spotted a flycatcher (it moved to fast to photograph but here’s what they look like from Audubon):

We’ve sighted Hummingbirds, a Downy Woodpecker, Cardinals, Robins, Jays, Crows, the occasional Red Tail Hawk…

Patch: Sydney Pereira

“…The Lower East Side, East Village and Chinatown have among the city’s most playgrounds deemed “unacceptable” by the Department of Parks and Recreation, a new report from the city comptroller’s office reveals.”

“City Comptroller Scott Stringer’s office report …”

“Community District 3 …the district — which covers the Lower East Side, East Village, Chinatown and Two Bridges — has among the highest percentage of playgrounds in disrepair…”

Read More.

Sara Roosevelt Park’s Rivington Playground:

From BoweryBoogie:

“This conversion project is two years in the making. Thanks to an allocation of $1 million in city funding sponsored by Councilwoman Margaret Chin and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer in 2017, the city can reconfigure this section of the brick structure.”

Read more.

The Surprising Science of Fighting Crime With…Trees

A growing body of research suggests greenery may make cities safer.

From Mother Jones:

In 2001 environmental researchers…published a landmark study on crime rates in a Chicago project comparing aerial photos and police crime reports, the researchers

• buildings still surrounded by lots of foliage saw 48% fewer property crimes, on average,
• 56% fewer violent crimes than buildings with low levels of vegetation…

in the nearly two decades since, a small but growing body of research has supported the idea that trees may have a calming effect on crime.

The US Forest Service:

• urban trees help save energy,
• lead to better air and water quality,
• reduce stormwater runoff,
• store carbon,
• increase property values.

In California urban trees—173 million—provide an estimated $8.3 billion in environmental services every year, according to a 2017 study 

In Denmark: “major 2019 study of nearly 1 million Danish people showed that kids who grew up near green spaces had a lower risk of psychiatric disorders later in life.”

“..some cities are beginning to explore urban greening as a way to increase residents’ safety, especially in low-income, blighted areas. “

In Philadelphia, researchers 2018 randomized trial included more than 500 vacant lots.

• 1/3 were “cleaned and greened” with trees and grass.

• 1/3 were only cleaned, with no greenery added,

• 1/3 were left alone.

The lots that received either treatment there were significant reductions in overall crime and burglaries over a 38-month period,

“a 29% drop in gun violence in neighborhoods below the poverty line. ..it could translate to more than 350 fewer shootings each year. The city only spent about $5 per square meter to green each lot and got a 29% reduction in gun violence…return on investment.”

From the Daily News: “Thousands of NYC kids live in ‘playground deserts’: report”

“Thousands of New York City kids live so-called “playground deserts” lacking swings, slides and monkey bars within walking distance, according to a new report from Controller Scott Stringer.

The city has about 2,067 public playgrounds …[but] falls behind 47 of America’s largest cities, including Detroit, Chicago and Boston, in the number of playgrounds per capita.

And…the equipment can be shoddy and dangerous, according to the report, set to be released on Saturday.

More than half of the 1,028 playgrounds run by the Parks Department had at least one “hazardous” feature requiring “immediate attention” in their most recent inspection last year.”