New York Shitty Day Starter: Househenge

The above arrangement (which is located at 146 1/2 Java Street) has long been a fascination (and personal favorite) of mine. For this reason I make it a point to walk by periodically so as to see how this ever-changing creation is progressing. Yesterday I noted a couple of new additions without further ado, here they are.

A wall.

And this rock garden.

Does anyone have the 411 on what this is about and/or who is responsible for this? Quite frankly I am fascinated and need to know! If you have anything to tender regarding this Garden Spot mystery please do so via comments or email at: missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com. Thanks!

Greenpoint Feral Christmas Tree Watch: Manhattan Avenue

February 19, 2012 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Urban Artifact 

Taken February 19, 2012.

Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Java Street

January 26, 2012 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

Taken January 25, 2012.

Noteworthy: Java Street Garden

Last November this project was to be presented to our Community Board’s Parks & Waterfront Committee. Alas, it was withdrawn at the last minute. Nonetheless my curiosity was piqued— so you can imagine my delight when I walked by 59 Java Street recently to discover the above missive. Not only does this endeavor have its own web site (which you can peruse by clicking here), but as I learned they need our help!

$999.00 is (all things considered) quite a modest sum to get this nifty project rolling. Those of you who have a few dollars to spare can make a donation by clicking here. In closing, I’ll leave you with this, their mission statement:

We are a group of local residents–among us are landscapers, gardeners, architects, community advocates, and project managers–who have come together to form the Java St Garden Collaborative.  We seek to develop the vacant public land at 59 Java Street, vacant now for at least a decade, into an open green space for the community at large to enjoy.   Located just one block from the East River ferry terminal at India Street, we expect visitors from all over, not just from within Greenpoint.

Our mission is to establish and build the following:

  1. A living laboratory with such projects as environmental-  or phyto-remediation, design development, a self-contained composting system, just for starters
  2. A much-needed open green space with regular hours open to the public
  3. Collaboration with local businesses and community organizations in supporting the growth of the area
  4. Participation of local volunteers who wish to gain experience in gardening, landscaping, and all projects ongoing within the space

Anyone wishing to learn more or volunteer should contact the folks at Java Street Garden via email at: javastgarden (at) gmail (dot) com.

New York Shitty Day Ender: Java Street Park

December 31, 2011 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

This morning it was brought to my attention that someone has seen fit to “add value” to my tar bucket installation. Intrigued, I decided to swing by and see it for myself. Follows are a few highlights from my visit. Enjoy!

People were present.

As were a great many a duck– and of course the reason for my trip.

A sparkling new addition to Tar Bucket #2!

A reviewer on CellarTracker.com opines of this product:

A little nail polish on the nose, with just the slightest hint of citrus. It’s a bit tight. A little more expressive on the palate, but still pretty tight. It has the nail polish and citrus, plus a little yeast at the end.

Just like Greenpoint! Nonetheless I sensed something was missing. So I whipped out my sidewalk chalk.

See you next year!

Greenpoint Photos du Jour: And Then There Were Two!

December 29, 2011 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

Today since it was a downright balmy 33 degrees I decided to swing by our new waterfront park and see how things were shaking— above all the tar bucket/art installation which was brought to my attention yesterday. Follows are a few highlights from my trip with commentary. Enjoy!

While the rubbish has been bagged as of at least December 24th (which is when I walked by) it has yet to be picked up.

There’s even more rubbish at the end of the street.

Among the assorted detritus greeting our open space lovers is a barbecue grill.

As for the tar bucket, it is much more impressive when viewed against the Manhattan skyline. But the greatest treasure was to be found was a mere 10 -12 feet away…

another— truly magnificent— tar bucket!

I was particularly taken by the value-added book of matches. This got me to thinking about what my informant said:

Art or vandalism – you decide!  I’m leaning to the art side of the fence.

Remembering what my professors taught me about appropriation in art school, I decided to tip the balance in favor of (conceptual) art.

Behold Tar Bucket #1…

and the even more majestic Tar Bucket #2. Both of these pieces I dedicate to our “parks/open space advocates”. Without their hard work on our behalf, we would not be able to enjoy such niceties in the first place!

P.S.: Oh yeah, there are still no benches on India Street Pier.

From The New York Shitty Inbox: Now At Java Street Park!

December 28, 2011 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

An anonymous tipster opines of the above-depicted item:

Art or vandalism – you decide!  I’m leaning to the art side of the fence.

I’ll leave it to you, gentle readers, (and our Parks Department) to make the call. In the meantime I prefer to see the tar bucket as being half-full— in a manner of speaking.

The long-awaited opening of this piece of public space appears to have motivated the powers-that-be to collect all the rubbish gracing the northern side of this street!

From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Java Street Lights

December 16, 2011 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

java street lights

Taken by autovac.

Greenpoint Photos du Jour: On The Waterfront

These shots were taken today at the newly-opened pop-up park on Java Street. Now if we could get some benches on the pier we’ll be all aces! NOTE/CAVEAT: if you decide to check this out be advised you can only gain entrance via Java Street.

From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part II: Open!

December 9, 2011 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

On December 8, 2011 I wrote (in this post):

But alas, our Parks “Advocate” (and Parks Supervisor) are not reasonable people. This is why we have a “pop-up park” on my fair burgh’s waterfront which— while purported to have been “ready” in June (per the Deputy Director of OSA) and available to Nuit Blanche/East River Ferry patrons in October— is still closed to the general public.

Well gentle readers, I have some very good news to share! The newly-appointed gatekeeper of Java Street Park writes today, December 9, 2011:

I am the gatekeeper of that park at the end of java between india st pier entrance and java.  you can announce that it will be open most days, depending on my sleep/work schedule, from about 7:30am to about 6pm

Bundle up and get down there Garden Spotters! NOTE/CAVEAT: As I learned this afternoon, you can only gain entrance via Java Street.

Java Street “Pop-up” Park
waterfront, between Java Street and India Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222

 

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