Comments on: Car-Free Hours in Prospect Park? Fuhgeddaboutit! http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:47 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: phlg http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35758 phlg Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:33:36 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35758 i saw something in the park saying it would be closed mon - fri from 5 - 7 pm. anyone know anything about this? - Prop. Heights Lefferts Gardens i saw something in the park saying it would be closed mon - fri from 5 - 7 pm. anyone know anything about this?

- Prop. Heights Lefferts Gardens

]]> By: SPer http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35676 SPer Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:14:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35676 Don't forget to call Markowitz's office to register your thoughts on cars in Prospect Park. Very important. Don't forget to call Markowitz's office to register your thoughts on cars in Prospect Park. Very important.

]]> By: parent http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35673 parent Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:58:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35673 I'm a parent who lives in Windsor Terrace. School starts very soon, and my kids will get home from their after-school commitments at about 4:30. That leaves them 30 minutes of car-free time in Prospect Park. 30 minutes!!! If we wait until 7 to go there, it's too dark. It's a no win situation. I don't want my kids riding their bikes or playing while cars are there. I also don't want them lingering in the park as the sun sets. I'm sure I'm not the only dad with this concern. And we wonder why so many kids are obese? If there's no safe place for them to play, what can we do? I'm a parent who lives in Windsor Terrace. School starts very soon, and my kids will get home from their after-school commitments at about 4:30. That leaves them 30 minutes of car-free time in Prospect Park. 30 minutes!!! If we wait until 7 to go there, it's too dark. It's a no win situation.

I don't want my kids riding their bikes or playing while cars are there. I also don't want them lingering in the park as the sun sets. I'm sure I'm not the only dad with this concern. And we wonder why so many kids are obese? If there's no safe place for them to play, what can we do?

]]> By: d http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35645 d Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:27:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35645 SPer hits the nail right on the head. Often we conflate an <i>ability</i> to do something (or permission to do something) with the <i>need</i> to do something. Just because you <i>can</i> drive through the park doesn't mean you <i>need</i> to or that it's even a good idea. If the park had never been open to cars, few would lament the lack of access today. If the park was simply closed, people would have to get used to it. Within a short matter of time, few people would notice the difference to their commute, most likely because driving through the park only saves them a few minutes. That's a few minutes that comes at the expense of people who want clean, safe spaces for fun and exercise. SPer hits the nail right on the head. Often we conflate an ability to do something (or permission to do something) with the need to do something. Just because you can drive through the park doesn't mean you need to or that it's even a good idea.

If the park had never been open to cars, few would lament the lack of access today. If the park was simply closed, people would have to get used to it. Within a short matter of time, few people would notice the difference to their commute, most likely because driving through the park only saves them a few minutes. That's a few minutes that comes at the expense of people who want clean, safe spaces for fun and exercise.

]]> By: SPer http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35627 SPer Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:54:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35627 Park Driver -- Do you REALLY need to use the Park Drives? Are a few minutes off your automobile trip worth the disrupting the peaceful enjoyment of the park by others? Honestly, how much longer would your trip take if you didn't drive through the park? I consider people who drive through the park to be extremely selfish individuals. Park Driver -- Do you REALLY need to use the Park Drives? Are a few minutes off your automobile trip worth the disrupting the peaceful enjoyment of the park by others? Honestly, how much longer would your trip take if you didn't drive through the park? I consider people who drive through the park to be extremely selfish individuals.

]]> By: Doug http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35619 Doug Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:18:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35619 Park Driver (#26), the Third Street entrance/exit <i>is</i> open when cars are allowed in the park. This video shows the open entrance: http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/count-cars-breaking-the-law-in-prospect-park/ I'm not quite sure where you got the idea that Third Street is closed to traffic. When the park is open to cars, so is Third Street. Park Driver (#26), the Third Street entrance/exit is open when cars are allowed in the park.

This video shows the open entrance:

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/count-cars-breaking-the-law-in-prospect-park/

I'm not quite sure where you got the idea that Third Street is closed to traffic. When the park is open to cars, so is Third Street.

]]> By: John http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35615 John Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:31:00 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35615 It seems that a large number of park users are impacted by a small number of drivers. Ending Marty's political career will correct this - and a number of other issues. It seems that a large number of park users are impacted by a small number of drivers. Ending Marty's political career will correct this - and a number of other issues.

]]> By: Park User and Park Driver http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35611 Park User and Park Driver Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:32:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35611 I live near the Southern end of PP. My family and I use the Park frequently. We also drive through it. Whatever the agreed hours are - when cars are permitted in the park would the City PLEASE reopen the Third Street entrance/exit. Why are Slopes so precious that there neighborhood is "roped off", while every other entrance/exit in PP remains open. Might I add that these are all in far less economically prosperous neighborhoods... And that Marty doesn't live there. Seems like special treatment to me. OPEN THIRD STREET!!!! I live near the Southern end of PP. My family and I use the Park frequently. We also drive through it. Whatever the agreed hours are - when cars are permitted in the park would the City PLEASE reopen the Third Street entrance/exit. Why are Slopes so precious that there neighborhood is "roped off", while every other entrance/exit in PP remains open. Might I add that these are all in far less economically prosperous neighborhoods... And that Marty doesn't live there. Seems like special treatment to me. OPEN THIRD STREET!!!!

]]> By: mk http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35608 mk Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:51:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35608 Hope he gets run over crossing Grand Army Plaza Hope he gets run over crossing Grand Army Plaza

]]> By: Eric http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35601 Eric Thu, 16 Aug 2007 03:31:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35601 Looks to me like it says "Schmuck." Marty's base is in what he likes to call "suburban Brooklyn." That is, any part of Brooklyn not lying within traffic-backup distance of the "Atlantic Yards" footprint. So he sees closing the park drive as something that would upset his base. And since he himself gets driven everywhere in Brooklyn, and parks in a public park, he doesn't really get it. Looks to me like it says "Schmuck."

Marty's base is in what he likes to call "suburban Brooklyn." That is, any part of Brooklyn not lying within traffic-backup distance of the "Atlantic Yards" footprint. So he sees closing the park drive as something that would upset his base.

And since he himself gets driven everywhere in Brooklyn, and parks in a public park, he doesn't really get it.

]]> By: burger http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35589 burger Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:40:49 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35589 Schnack. The burger place in Red Hook. (Plus a location on 4th Avenue.) Schnack. The burger place in Red Hook. (Plus a location on 4th Avenue.)

]]> By: Steve http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35587 Steve Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:25:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35587 What's printed on Marty's cap? I can make out the "sch" at the beggining and the "ck" at the end, but not sure what 2 characters are in the middle . . . What's printed on Marty's cap? I can make out the "sch" at the beggining and the "ck" at the end, but not sure what 2 characters are in the middle . . .

]]> By: d http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35576 d Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:59:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35576 The direct number for "Constituent Services" is 718-802-3777. You'll still talk to about three people before you get to your final destination, but it's worth calling. Just be very straightforward, tell them you are calling to voice your support for an extension of car-free hours in Prospect Park, and be polite! The direct number for "Constituent Services" is 718-802-3777.

You'll still talk to about three people before you get to your final destination, but it's worth calling. Just be very straightforward, tell them you are calling to voice your support for an extension of car-free hours in Prospect Park, and be polite!

]]> By: pa http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35574 pa Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:56:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35574 marty is just so out of touch with issues like this. why are so many politicians out of touch with issues that streetsblog typically covers? is it their age? seriously. do we need younger politicians? i know people older than me and they are less concerned about the environment and bicycling and parking.... i know this sounds prejudiced but many of these politicians are such careerists. they build up their platform and constituency and coast and after a while they seem pretty much outdated long before they leave politics. marty is just so out of touch with issues like this. why are so many politicians out of touch with issues that streetsblog typically covers? is it their age? seriously. do we need younger politicians? i know people older than me and they are less concerned about the environment and bicycling and parking....
i know this sounds prejudiced but many of these politicians are such careerists. they build up their platform and constituency and coast and after a while they seem pretty much outdated long before they leave politics.

]]> By: wheels http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35569 wheels Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:19:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35569 Please do call his office and voice displeasure with this policy. If you call 718-802-3700 and ask to speak with someone about this policy, they'll transfer you to a maze of people until you get someone's voice-mail saying that she will be out of the office until August 20th. Wouldn't it be nice if she had a full mailbox on her return! Please do call his office and voice displeasure with this policy. If you call 718-802-3700 and ask to speak with someone about this policy, they'll transfer you to a maze of people until you get someone's voice-mail saying that she will be out of the office until August 20th.

Wouldn't it be nice if she had a full mailbox on her return!

]]> By: runner http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35567 runner Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:17:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35567 Eh. Spend some time in the park at about 7 o'clock and you'll see all types of people driving through. Eh. Spend some time in the park at about 7 o'clock and you'll see all types of people driving through.

]]> By: Niccolo Machiavelli http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35565 Niccolo Machiavelli Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:01:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35565 The Hasids clearly make up a large subgroup of the park drivers, but in the interest of multi-cultural fairness I would like to point out that there is substantial West Indian resistance to car free park as well. Both from the community and from their elected representatives. Much of that resistance comes from the same representatives who are so tight with the Dollar Van "industry". Any traffic that gets pushed out of the park to the east effects the productivity of the dollar vans as they seek to harvest the MTA bus operating income to the applause of the Libertarians. The Hasids clearly make up a large subgroup of the park drivers, but in the interest of multi-cultural fairness I would like to point out that there is substantial West Indian resistance to car free park as well. Both from the community and from their elected representatives. Much of that resistance comes from the same representatives who are so tight with the Dollar Van "industry". Any traffic that gets pushed out of the park to the east effects the productivity of the dollar vans as they seek to harvest the MTA bus operating income to the applause of the Libertarians.

]]> By: Park user http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35560 Park user Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:26:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35560 "...city officials had been planning to ban cars on Prospect Park's East Drive in the evening..." Unlike Prospect Park West, with its proximity to Park Slope, East Drive runs along the side of Prospect Park that is accessed by a large number of lower-income New Yorkers who live in the surrounding neighborhoods. There are plenty of disparities between the east and west sides of the park (landscaping, trash collection, open space, safety, etc.) and one can debate the reasons for this. However, by not closing this side of the park to traffic, even for one additional hour, Marty Markowitz is sending a clear message: poor Black and Hispanic Brooklynites are less deserving of a car-free oasis than wealthy Manhattanites. I don't have a car and I don't have a summer home. Why can't my kids have a nice place to play, too? "...city officials had been planning to ban cars
on Prospect Park's East Drive in the evening..."

Unlike Prospect Park West, with its proximity to Park Slope, East Drive runs along the side of Prospect Park that is accessed by a large number of lower-income New Yorkers who live in the surrounding neighborhoods. There are plenty of disparities between the east and west sides of the park (landscaping, trash collection, open space, safety, etc.) and one can debate the reasons for this. However, by not closing this side of the park to traffic, even for one additional hour, Marty Markowitz is sending a clear message: poor Black and Hispanic Brooklynites are less deserving of a car-free oasis than wealthy Manhattanites.

I don't have a car and I don't have a summer home. Why can't my kids have a nice place to play, too?

]]> By: Ace http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35552 Ace Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:20:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35552 Sadly, I fell for what I saw as gentle buffoonery and voted for him for borough president. His support for Atlantic Yards, his arrogant parking practices and now this. Marty is a sellout. Actually the lycra crowd can be very intimidating to pedestrians trying to cross the main road after entering the park. There are so many of them riding in packs and going so fast that it reminds me of a dash across a highway. Sadly, I fell for what I saw as gentle buffoonery and voted for him for borough president. His support for Atlantic Yards, his arrogant parking practices and now this. Marty is a sellout.

Actually the lycra crowd can be very intimidating to pedestrians trying to cross the main road after entering the park. There are so many of them riding in packs and going so fast that it reminds me of a dash across a highway.

]]> By: SPer http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/comment-page-1/#comment-35549 SPer Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:10:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35549 Marty Markowitz is a foolish clown. I really cannot stand him. Marty Markowitz is a foolish clown. I really cannot stand him.

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