'Friends Of Carroll Park' Throw Reception For New Volunteers And Group's Founding Members

A rainy Carroll Park On Saturday evening

Invite to Volunteer Reception

Inside the Robert Acito Park House

from l.to r.: Joe Auer, Amy Vermeer Crews, Sarah Starling, Eunice Auer, Jim Crews

Friends of Carroll Park President Bruce McDonald

One of the founding members of Friends Of Carroll Park, Nancy Stehle

with an old photo showing her at a park's event.

Old press releases from Friends of Carroll Park events

Founding Members and volunteers Joseph Mariano and Nino Pantano

Another founding member, Linda Mariano with friend Margaret Maugenest

Bottom right, Linda Mariano and Nancy Stehle in the park in the 1970's

Foreground, Nancy Stehle and Joe Auer. In the back, former Friends of Carroll Park President Glenn Kelly with founding member Judy Pantano

From an event by the Friends Of Carroll Park in 1975.

From l. to r.: Peter Drago, Former Assemblywoman Eileen Dugan, Linda Mariano with daughter Rachel, Nino Pantano, Judy Pantano, Ann Faulkner, Sal Feriaoli, Elisabeth Feriaoli and Rich Leolta.

Carroll Gardens residents in 1975 in the Carroll Park ball field...

...listening to Nino Pantano sing

during a concert honoring Enrico Caruso, the Italian tenor.

Georgia, a future member of the Friends group

This past Saturday evening, the current members of Friends Of Carroll Park held a reception inside the Robert Acido Park House to honor the founding members of the group as well as to welcome new volunteers. Together, those gathered have taken care of the park and organized events for the community for over 36 years.

The group was founded in the 1970's by members Nancy and Paul Stehle, Linda and Joseph Mariano, Judy and Nino Pantano along with a few others. Over wine and cheese, they shares some of the history and photos taken during park events in the 1970's, including a tribute concert to Enrico Caruso, the Italian tenor.

Today, Friends of Carroll Park is still going strong and has grown in the last decade. New members are always welcomed.

The group meets the first Thursday of every month in the park house at 7:30 PM.

Click here for more history and information on the group.


***If anyone recognizes someone from the photo showing local residents at the 1975 concert, please let me know and I will add their names.

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Public Park Or Private Enclave? Last Night's Public Hearing On Alternatives To Housing In Brooklyn Bridge Park

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From left, Seth Pinsky President of New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC),

2nd from left: Paul Nelson For Assemblymember Joan Millman,
3rd from left: a woman sitting in for Robert Steel  

4th from left: Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corp.

second from right: John Ruskin of State Senator Squadron's office

Councilman Steve Levin

Councilman Brad Lander

Last night at Long Island College Hospital, the first of two public hearings on alternatives to housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park took place. In front of Regina Myer, President of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, representatives of NY State Assemblywoman Joan Millman and State Senator Squadron, and the Mayor's office, residents shared their ideas on how to generate revenue for the park to fund its operation and maintenance. Most also took the opportunity to voice their frustration with the City's hijacking of a public park for development.
In 2002, New York State and City signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which requires that the Brooklyn Bridge Park "be financially self sufficient with annual operation and maintenance expenses funded by revenue generated from within the project."  In order to accomplish this, five sites within the park were identified for development.  This idea met with immediate resistance from many in the community.
In March 2010, State Senator Squadron and Assemblywoman Joan Millman were able to convince the City to sign another Memorandum Of Understanding which prompted the formation of a Subcommittee on Alternatives to Housing (SHA.)  It also called for two public hearings.
Though some speakers last night supported the idea, many in the audience had worked tirelessly for the last twenty-five years to secure the park along the waterfront and were strongly opposed to residential luxury condos of 15 to 31 stories in the park.  The overwhelming sentiment expressed by the community was that Brooklyn Bridge Park should be a public park and not a "private enclave with tastefully arranged landscaping around it."
Councilmembers Brad Lander and Steve Levin spoke out against the housing as well.


Written testimony will be accepted till Monday, December 13th at 5 PM.  Submit to Bay Area Economics Consulting at bbptestimony@bae1.com


Below are some of the testimonies (and alternatives) given last night.

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C.G.N.A. Vows To Fight To Protect Signature Gardens In Carroll Gardens

Speaking for the Committee To Improve Carroll Gardens at their December meeting on Monday, Land Use Co-Chair Glenn Kelly reiterated the organization's strong opposition to any modification to the 150-year-old law which protects the signature front gardens from development.

Hannah Senesh Day School, a private school which moved to 342 Smith Street in Carroll Gardens two years ago, seeks approval to build an extension to their facility on the city owned courtyard which runs along at the corner of Smith Street and First Place.

The school has hired lobbyist Ken Fisher to influence political opinion on the matter. We can expect Hannah Senesh to apply for a zoning variance and an amendment to the Administrative Code which will allow a transfer of city property to the school. Should their application meet with approval and proceed through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (U.L.U.R.P.,) Carroll Gardens will have to fight to keep its historical integrity and unique character intact.

CGNA had fought for decades to protect the front gardens. According to Glenn Kelly, the organization can therefore not support Hannah Senesh' s expansion.
Other neighborhood groups, such as C.O.R.D., have voiced their opposition as well.







Related Reading:

*Carroll Gardens Organizes To Fight Assault On The Historical Integrity Of The Neighborhood

*Bill De Blasio Courtyard Caper Delayed

*Carroll Gardens Protests "Bill": An Open Letter To De Blasio

*Dear Bill De Blasio: A Reader Strongly Protests

*In 2008, Hannah Senesh Paid Ken Fisher To Lobby For Acquisition Of Lot Currently Owned By City

*Will Bill And Brad Attend Hannah Senesh's 'Brief' Meeting About Expansion Into Publicly Owned Courtyard?

*Councilman 'Dollar Bill' De Blasio's Underhanded Move To Amend A 150-Year Old Law Angers Many In Carroll Gardens

*Breaking News! On His Way Out, Councilman Bill De Blasio Sticks It To Carroll Gardens



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