Seba Avenue Park as it is now is the Skatepark, the general use asphalt field, and the tot playground. However, the park is not complete there are plans for a “Phase II” which was mainly a comfort station (bathrooms). Phase II and the comfort station was always part of the design and funding from the begining.
Recently, Lew Fidlers office held a meeting with GBCares and the Property Owners to discuss Phase II. (GB Little League and the RCSMP could not attend)
Here are the details of the comfort station
The comfort station building will be open year round.
It will be in 3 sections- as you face it- men on the left, Parks area (office, mechanicals and storage) in the middle and women on the right. Mens’ section will have one stall and 2 urinals. Women’s section will have 2 stalls.
There will be a Parks staff person on site, and the building will be open only when staff is present. Restroom areas will have self-closing door, exterior will be lit. Skylights will be over restrooms, but not over the Parks area (to discourage break-in).
There will be two drinking fountains on the Gerritsen Ave side of the building. Construction to start in November and run for 9 months.
Surprisingly! Phase II now includes a water park. I have no idea where this came from and have very little details. I’m assuming sprinklers.
The water park, should begin in Spring ’10 and run for about a year.
Yeah, it’s really nice that they are going to install this area to the Skate Park. Sprinklers in the summer time would be an nice add-on to the park. Unfortunately, the Parks “area” Office will probably be gratified all over. The water fountains will probably get destroyed like some of the fountains at the park near P.S.277. =(
Great idea though…..I wish the best of luck.
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Unfortunately, the Parks “area†Office will probably be **graffitied** all over.
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@Joe Guy, And I am confident that the graffiti removal program that I have allocated City dollars to GB Cares for will be used to promptly and -if necessary—repeatedly remove the graffiti.
Let’s hope for the best.
BTW, Seba Park plans also include an expansion of the tot lot…more swings for kids. All of the needed money has been allocated through my office and with the added help of BP Markowitz.
Lew from Brooklyn
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Sorry but that is the worst idea ever. It is just going to allow more kids to hang out. It will give them more things to break and do there graffiti on. I think you should take that skate park away…. Put more stuff up for little kids and we don’t need bathroom. Kids should go home every so often and check in with there folks
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Why not use the money to reconstruct the old section streets? Leave the money to be used in the beach for what the beach people need. Why make this park bigger? For who?
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@, If the old sections streets are fixed. there would be nothing new to complain about. Hey why not add some sidewalks down there too.
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@, I guess you don’t have any children, huh Ebenezer?? What people in this neighborhood need, is for a place for children to hang out and play and have fun in. Keep them busy and off the streets. You obviously don’t care about, or don’t have any children.
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Maybe there should be a community meeting to see what everyone wants instead of just a handful.
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I think the point of the park is for people to hang out in and enjoy. I was specifically asked to expand the tot lot. The money is there to build a full tot lot, which does include sprinklers for use by kids during the hot days of summer. (Hardly a Sesame Place water park folks.)
As plans are developed, we have scoping meetings with the community. I assure you that GBPOA and GB Cares and GB Little League will all be invited for input.
However, I frankly have to believe that the last few comments do not reflect what GB wants…because if the neighborhood does not want the park made more beautiful and more utile for the neighborhood, I can move the money to some other community’s park….but honestly, is that how most GB residents feel?
Let me know!
Lew from Brooklyn
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@Lew from Brooklyn, I dont think a water park is needed in that remote area. The developemnt is unnecessary. Expansion of the tot playground is a wonderful idea.
Although I would say I was worried about the skatepark, i wasnt against it, a park was needed. I am glad the kids have a place to go the more kids the better unlike MOM from above.
I will say this I dont like outsiders coming in. Riding in the center of the ave . After all it is Us vs them
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@,
Thanks. I am anxious to hear more opinions from the community. Please bear in mind that most full “tot lots” have this sprinkler system to cool of the young kids during hot summer days. At night, it is of course off. It is NOT a water park….just to be clear. It is a small safe area that sprays kids like a hose. I want to be sure that GB residents get the same or better as do other neighborhoods in the City. but I don’t want to force things into this park that residents do not want.
Lew from Brooklyn
More feedback please!
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@Lew from Brooklyn, How about adding some BBQ Pits.
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@Lew from Brooklyn, 277 park used to have a sprinkler area. I think its great. People down here just need something to complain about. Having a constructive place for the kids to go and cool off in the summer is what we always needed. That was the biggest downfall to the beach, not having anywhere to go without being driven or taking a bus.
So let the kids have some fun.
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@, where did the sprinklers go because last time i checked they were still there
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@anonymous, I’m not up the park much but the few times I’ve driven by on a summer day I don’t remember seeing sprinklers in 277. Its been a long time since I’ve noticed them. They may still be there &if so good.
Its fun for kids to run under sprinklers after a hard day of play in the sun & heat.
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sprinklers are still there and are turned on just about every day in the summer; as I commented before: the problem is the water leaks up beneath the grades OUTSIDE the park area. Parks Dept. really needs to do something about it before someone gets hurt or sidewalk collapses.
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I understand the need for another park. However, I too, see kids riding down the center of Gerritsen Avenue on their boards causing more traffic problems. This is near the park that was built for their use. I understand, too, the use of boards for “commuting” back and forth. The “tot-lot” is fine but I am very much against any water; most of our community either belongs to kiddie beach or have pools in their yard! The sprinklers in the park adjacent to Gerritsen Beach school are falling apart! I know because I walk my dog there every day and have to walk through a huge puddle that collects at the entrance to the park and continues to the bus stop…..the water stagnates and is disgusting (who knows what breeds there). I have no problem with the sprinklers being in that park but the upkeep isn’t there….the water comes up through the drains and is dangerous!
Keep the skate park as it is, upgrade the tot-lot and forget about the sprinklers!!!
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Perhaps in the future you should think before you leave a reply, as a parent of a child who uses the parks on the avenue i am more concerned about the dog piss and dog shit left behind by you dog walkers.Maybe you might be taking the dog shit with you but the piss is still being left there give me the puddles of water you claim to be a problem anyday over you peoples pet waste.
Just a reminder The Poopoer Scooper Law is still in effect maybe some of these pigs that bring there filthy animals onto the park land should obey it.
GBnet get out there with your camera and start photographing these people and post there pictures on the site so we all can see who leaves all that pet waste behind in our park land.
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I clean up after my dog every day; and maybe we should post those who don’t….why are you so angry?..I only care if the water is dirty or a danger to all children and people who use the park!
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@anon, Maybe we should have Green Streets to prevent kids riding down the middle???
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@Lew from Brooklyn, Great idea Lew, for the most part there are only a few bad apples that tend to destroy what they have and that should not deter the expansion of the park. As a whole, I think the community would welcome the expansion of the park and the addition of bathrooms new the baseball field. I agree with Steve G below, the majority of GB is NOT reflected on this forum. Keep up the good fight.
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@Lew from Brooklyn, Lew, the majority of GB is NOT reflected on this forum. These are the same people who complained before the park was built that the kids have nowhere to go. Now they do, and they complain about the park itself. THIS IS ABOUT THE CHILDREN!! I use that park with my children and am openly welcoming any expansion. ESPECIALLY for the tots. More stuff for the little ones, please. I would love to see that aspect of the park expanded. Who in their right mind wouldn’t? Sprinklers? Of course, isn’t this about the KIDS?? Ever hear of a kid who didn’t have fun in a sprinkler on a hot summer day? Keep it up and please continue with this plan, do not be dissuaded by the cynical side and opinions of this neighborhood. They are a minority. But I do have one question. Is there any way the park can actually be fenced in at dusk and locked, like many other parks in the city? A nice big, wrought iron or chain link fence that seems to surround every other park would reduce alot of the vandalism, and would be money better spent than having a comfort station. It is a very large area, but it seems the tot playground should at least be protected with a fence. On a side note, thanks again for your help from all the residents of Landis and Merit Cts. regarding the dangerous condition with the downed telephone poles. Con Ed did an excellent job. Thanks.
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@Steve G,
Youre welcome.
When we get to scoping we will discuss fencing. However, bear in mind that in most cases, especially in a park situated as this ne is, fencing is breached and serves more to obstruct the view of folks doing mischeif than they do to actually prevent it.
But, we can discuss it.
Lew from Brooklyn
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@Lew from Brooklyn, I agree with Steve. Expanding this park would be great. For anyone who walks up there what you see is kids having a good time, away from computers, x boxes and TV. That skate park is crowded every day. Obviously it was needed. The kiddie park is great too, I wish it had been there when my kids were little, it always bothered me to have to walk a mile to the closest park. I also agree with Lew that fencing may not be the solution. The vandals are such a small fraction of the kids that need/use this park. Maybe lighting would be the answer?
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@Lew from Brooklyn, How does fencing obstruct the view? There’s no view because it’s dark. That park definitely needs lighting. When I walk my dogs at night, I can hear people in the park but cannot see them. If it was lit at night, there would probably be less shenanigans.
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@Kate,
We’ll look at lighting too. That however might be a liability issue as night lighting for a park that by law is closed at dusk might be considered an invitation to use the park under less than ideal conditions. Not sure about that tho, so when we scope for design we will raise that possibility.
Lew from Brooklyn
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@Lew from Brooklyn, How about sidewalk lights along the entire ave on the east side?
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@Jim Donovan, Jim, this was part of the discussion after the Christmas tree lighting accident. All our politicians were going to look into more lighting on the field side of the avenue. Never heard any more about it. The bathrooms are definitely a need for the children in the park, baseball games for the players, coaches and visitors and other various events that are held there, i.e. Breast Cancer games last week, Octoberfest this week, Halloween festival the end of the month. Not everyone lives within a block or two and can be a long walk for someone who has trouble walking with their grandchildren. Lew – keep up the good work.
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@Lew from Brooklyn, “We’ll look at lighting too. That however might be a liability issue as night lighting for a park that by law is closed at dusk might be considered an invitation to use the park under less than ideal conditions.”
What is less than ideal conditions? And FYI I have posted a message twice under 2 different MTA discussions which you should take a look at…
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@Lew from Brooklyn, Lew, please do not be dissuaded from any cynical comments on this forum. They are not the majority in this neighborhood. They are the same people who complained that the kids have nothing to do, and now that a park has been bulit, complain about the park itself. Let’s not forget that this about the CHILDREN. I use this park with my children and would welcome any and all expansion we could get. What would be especially welcomed and very useful is an expansion of the tot section. That would be great for this community and it’s littlest residents, who are also our most important. And who could be against adding a sprinkler? Can anybody tell me of any kid who wouldn’t love to play under a sprinkler on a hot summer day? So please, I ask you to move forward with this plan. Remember, this is about our children. Just one question. Why does this park seem to be the only playground in the city not protected by a large wrought iron or chain link fence? Which could be locked every night at dusk? We all know about the incidents of vandalism. I understand it is a very large area, but in the least, certain sections of the park, including the the tot playground, should be protected. I feel the money would be better spent protecting the park with a nice big fence than building a comfort station. The fence would at least protect our investment, and at the very least reduce and discourage any future vandalism. On a side note, I would like to thank you and Con Ed for all your help, on behalf of all the residents of Landis and Merit Cts., regarding the dangerous condition caused by the downed telephone poles. It won’t be forgotten.
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I agree with the person who said that you are just looking for something to complain about. Except the idea about the water park ??, I think it’s good ideas. The biggest problem in the beach is all the “yentas” and complainers that live there!!!
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Hey It was just my opinion; one that was requested by Lew. People are entitled to opinions without being called names. Differences are what makes the world go round…….
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Maybe have children from 277 or area paint a mural. Murals are rarely defaced, and might be graffiti prone if done by children, as long as it’ done correctly.
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good idea!
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@anon, Great idea Nick!
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Lew…Thanks for all you do to continue to make GB a safe and wonderful community to live in. I think the upgrades to the skate park is a great idea. I agree that better lighting is a must and think that a few picnic tables/benches would be a nice addition for parents to sit while watching their kids play. Also, how about bringing a few old games like skelly/hopscotch into the picture by painting those boards onto the pavement? Just a thought….
And to the kids, have some pride in your community and keep this park safe and CLEAN.
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What about an area for a dog run/park??
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Hey Lew, what about having “teen swings”. these were long metal swings the bigger kids could swing on. This used to be in the park next to the other park adjacent PS277. Once all the big kids stuff was ruined, nothing was ever put back. A giant slide and some of these type swings would be good for the bigger kids. Thanks.
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what about a pool? a swimming pool would be great!
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@what if, A pool??? A pool would mean life guards, high insurance & GASP outsiders!
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OH NO! outsiders coming in to use the park? I can’t believe it.
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@CC, I remember having “teen swings” in the 277 park. That was many years ago. Does anyone remember the original “Monkey Bars” up there? In the park, ” next to the other park adjacent to PS277″ as CC stated? That area today is nothing but asphalt and trees. That playground, now known as Dr. Johns Playground, is an entirely different subject than the “Skate Park” or “Seba Ave” Park. I’m sure all in this community would love to see that section of PS 277 park reconstructed, with all of the past features resurrected. Is it too much to ask for to have both the 277 Park and the Seba Ave. Park enhanced? Probably. But CC’s suggestion for some type of activity for the bigger kids is right on the money.
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@Old Monkey Bars,
There were swings, monkey bars, a bigger slide, then the checker/chess tables & a park house with bathrooms. all that long gone.
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i love this skatepark!
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