Brooklyn Heights’ Most Modest Park: Grace Court’s Greenstreets

By on June 27, 2012 9:41 pm in Gardening, Streets

Residents of Brooklyn Heights have likely ventured down Grace Court and seen the curiosity that must be the smallest named “park” in the neighborhood. At the end of the street, where it dead ends before the BQE below, is a tiny little green space tagged Greenstreets.

It’s not a particularly pretty destination, considering that it’s marked with a bright yellow “End” sign and striped black and white metal markers to insure that motorists don’t roar down the street to what would likely be death’s door.

Its 12×8-foot (approx) interior comprises scrubby green bushes and a cobble-stoned walkway that leads to nowhere… A chicken-wire fence that surrounds the back end of the space forces spectators to walk around the “park” to the sidewalk facing the BQE. Its origin: This little patch of heaven is courtesy of the NYC Parks Department’s Greenstreets initiative.


(Photos: Chuck Taylor)

Share this Story:

, , ,

  • Andrew Porter

    There are also “Greenstreets” spaces at the intersection of Clinton, Cadman Plaza and Tillary; at the intersection of Columbia Heights and Middagh Street (excellent roses and mint plants); and an actual community garden at the intersection of Hicks and Willow Streets.

  • http://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com Claude Scales

    Greenstreets is a program of the NYC Parks & Recreation Department that has ” converted thousands of unused concrete and striped islands formed by the city’s intersecting streets into leafy, ‘pint-sized’ parks.”

    In the instance of Grace Court, there are no intersecting streets, but there was a nice piece of unused asphalt that begged to be made into a pocket park.

  • Ellie

    Peachy idea. If I lived in that street I would plant some pretty annuals in that little patch. Even some herb plants to pluck from just before dinner time.

  • http://www.tksmall.com T.K. Small

    In 1971, my sixth birthday party was held in that exact location! My mother got a permit to close off half of the turnaround and she made a cake resembling one of the cargo ships, which used to dock below. She also hired the neighborhood favorite Good Humor Ice cream guy to make an appearance.

  • yoohoo

    The planted center strips on Cadman Plaza West and Tillary Street are also designated Green Street “parks.”

  • http://n/a Barbara Shernoff

    T.K.Small: we lived next door to you on Grace Court. I remember your dedicated and beautiful mom. I hope she is doing well.

  • http://www.tksmall.com TK Small

    Thank you Barbara. My mother is doing well and I will send your regards.