Open Thread Wednesday

I’ve been concerned about the bbq grills in Brooklyn Bridge Park since they appeared. Does the FDNY hang close to the area? This past Easter Sunday there was a huge crowd in that grilling area (I was walking) and a strong wind storm blew in. I was on the other side of the park when this happened but wonder how the sudden wind was handled by the grillers. Anyone know what happened or have same concerns?

Yes my concern is fire related.

Harness the hoops!
Ban the grills!
Corral the crowds!
Run for the hills!

Harpoon the helis!
Shun the shows!
Free the bike paths!
Banish the bros!

I’ve seen reports that show that BH has high levels of pollution, because we’re downwind from the FDR, BQE, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Certainly my place always has a ton of fine dust on all the surfaces, regardless of what I do.

Here’s another Bossert postcard, showing the view from the Marine Roof. This was before Claude’s building interrupted the view. Click on image for full-size version:

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f78186685f90a2c9e857a1e1fd76a8522cb08559f8c1a5e6fdc28da8fa7a473e.jpg

I have no problems w the park or the people who use it. I was simply stating a concern that apparently is not shared by people on this blog — and that’s fine with me. I have many other things to worry about.

Thanks for kindly sharing this information :)

Manhattan looked like the skylines of Dubai or modern-day Shanghai back then!

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e9159ecf738b47b2b99aa1e73c0d9b3b9cdade2b8047b7b4d21c5c328a324e91.jpg

Such a pleasant sight on my morning walk!

Since the Park is a focus these days. Through a combination of wrong signage, no signage and weird signage the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corp. is doing its beset to keep where the restrooms are in the Park a secret.

So here is a guide to where to “Pee in the Park.”
When you enter from Atlantic Avenue there is a sign, if you can see it through the bushes, which points down Pier 6 for “restrooms.” Ignore it.

Make a right and at the next path you will see door entrance on your left with “Fornino” above it and no other signage. Go right in to find the restrooms. As of Tuesday they are under renovation, but there was a “Mr. John” trailer near the outside tables.

At the heavily used Pier 5 with the soccer fields and barbecue area there are no restrooms. As the sign written on Ample Hill’s window recently said: “Bathroom? (it’s behind you) at Pier 6. (this is Pier 5).”

At Pier 2 there are restrooms, but no signage on the path or on the Pier. As you enter Pier 2 look for the blue “NYC H2O” painted on a grey wall. The restrooms are behind the wall.

When you walk towards Pier 1 you will see a blue sign with no writing on it in the walkway. Turn right at the blue sign for the restrooms. On the other side of the sign are directions to the restrooms.

But there used to be a structure with “restrooms” painted on it when you turned. It is gone. Now there is a large white portable port-a-potty trailer with no large signage, only a small “Callahead” logo on it. As of Tuesday, the doors were locked, but there is one blue “Callahead” past in near Furman Street.

After all these years it is more than strange that no park executive ever said, “Let’s put directions on both sides of the sign” to make it easy for people to find the hopefully soon unlocked restrooms.

Now you know where to pee in the park between Atlantic Avenue and the Brooklyn Bridge.

And if you think the bar/restaurant Buzz Bar by the Old Fulton Street park entrance has restrooms, nope. There are in the Ice Cream Factory.

Hello Neighbors! I have two questions, First, where do you recommend I take a car nearby for simple maintenance such as an oil change? Second, can you recommend someone who does good calligraphy?
Thank you!

You should ask if they do calligraphy too!

I used New Excel for a decade and loved them. But then Joke (that’s really his name) the proprietor had a falling out with his co-owner and moved away. I went back one time after that and felt as if I was being taken advantage of.

I track down Joke at his new location. He is in the south, south slope on 3rd Avenue. It’s a little far away but they will give you a ride back to the neighborhood and even come pick up your car if you prefer.

South Slope Auto
542 3rd ave
(718) 768-8883

There will also be bathrooms in the new “boathouse” that will open near the Pier 4 beach in July (located on the Pier 5 uplands) and in the hotel/condo building (not sure about the exact location but this is why the big white trailer is gone).

For now, if you want to use the bathroom in the hotel you just waltz right in, go to the far end of the lobby (the south end) and go down the stairscase with the white walls. You’ll find the bathrooms there.

I was deeply saddened when I learned that the building I live in replaced a garden.