GerritsenBeach.net

This year’s International Coastal Cleanup will be held September 20th. But this is more than a one-day event it’s a year-round movement. The ocean is essential to the health of everything on our planet. But harmful impacts like climate change and overfishing are taking its toll. The International Coastal Cleanup provides a direct tangible way to make a difference. Trash in the ocean kills countless seabirds, marine mammals and sea turtles each year through ingestion and entanglement. The International Coastal Cleanup brings awareness and action to one of the largest problems we face. The 2007 International Coastal Cleanup Data Report is a global snapshot of the hazardous effects of trash in the ocean.

Photo Gallery

Model Airplane Club and Dirt Bikers Contend for Use of Brooklyn Runway - NY Times

Looks like the NY Times picked up on whats going on back weeds between the RCSMP and the dirt bikes. Its an interesting read, but its nothing that I didn’t say before when I broke the story.

In response there was a stepped up effort to catch quads this past weekend back weeds but…

Lets just say this, all of the “locals” walked away, then within minutes got their quads at another location only to return to taunt the park rangers by playing chicken and buzzing them on their quads. While a family of non local people all got summonsed at the point for their quads. To the taunters: doing what you did will only bring more enforcement down here and more than likely someone will end up hurt.

Now I know of the parks department reads this site and I will say that understand that after the NY Times article that there had to be some sort of stepped up enforcement or something to show on paper that you gave out a summons, but do you/they have to are stupid about how you/they go about it?

Just a couple of things I noticed this last weekend with the enforcement.

The park rangers drive recklessly on the avenue & back weeds in their jeeps on the trails. Next time I post video of the stunts. They were also warning people about vehicles on the field while driving on the field.

They blocked the exit at Seba Avenue Park to block escape of whomever but they were ONLY blocking family’s with carriages and small kids. They wouldn’t move for anyone, 4 families had to lift every kid they had with carriages. I guess because there was a camera pointed at them they decided to help the last family lift a carriage over the rail. It would of been easier to move the idling jeep.

Every single one of them is on a mini power trip. Does anyone remember “Excuse Me You Can’t Take Pictures of Officers Doing Their Jobs“?

Oh, nice hiding spot. You do know that everyone has a cell phone and they knew where you were?

Flood Watch - Be Prepared

UPDATED 4:10 p.m. Friday: Rain from the outer fringes of Tropical Storm Hana is expected to hit Brooklyn, NY tonight. It will continue to be rainy and windy (15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph) during the day Saturday, with highs in the upper 70s.

The wind will get stronger in the afternoon and into the evening — 25 - 35 mph with gusts up to 45 (remove small items from balconies). According to Weather Underground, very heavy rainfall is likely and may result in flooding. The rain should stop by noon Sunday

== ORIGINAL POST==

DEP is anticipating that tomorrows storm will overflow and cause flooding in the Sheepshead Bay and in the Gerritsen Beach Area.

DEP is clearing catch basins in preparation for the storm water but they are asking for your help to sweep the areas around the catch basins and sewers, making sure they are clear.

Catch basins are the drains at the end of the dead ends.

Also a few other tips:
Keep driveways clear, If you have a pump make sure its working, do not use a washing machine or dish washer, secure items in yards.

Also watch out for the high tides:

Saturday

High 12:45 AM - 4.1ft
Low 6:15 AM - 1.1 ft
High 1:11 PM - 4.8 ft
Low 7:18 PM - 1.3 ft

Sunday

High 1:35 AM - 3.9 ft
Low 7:05 AM - 1.4
High 1:59 PM - 4.6 ft
Low 8:24 PM - 1.4

HEAVY RAIN ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TROPICAL STORM WILL SPREAD WELL
AHEAD OF THE MAIN LOW LATE TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY NIGHT… WITH
THE HEAVIEST RAIN EXPECTED SATURDAY INTO SATURDAY NIGHT.

TROPICAL STORM HANNA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 3
TO 6 INCHES OF RAIN WITH SOME POSSIBLE HIGHER AMOUNTS ACROSS THE
WATCH AREA. THESE RAINFALL TOTALS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE
FLOODING ACROSS HIGHLY URBANIZED AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS AND
CAUSE SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS TO FLOW OUT OF THEIR BANKS.
A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.

FLASH FLOODING OFTEN LEADS TO IMPASSABLE ROADWAYS. MOTORISTS THAT
ATTEMPT TO CROSS FLOODED ROADWAYS BUT THEIR LIVES IN DANGER AND
CAN CAUSE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF DAMAGE TO THEIR VEHICLES DUE TO
WATER ENTERING THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

Check out:

• New York Weather Alerts Weather.gov
• New York City’s storm and hurricane guide
• National Weather Service - Brooklyn, NY

The Canal Party is the most unique in block party in Brooklyn!

The canal party is a private event on the Gerritsen Beach Canal, which started in 1998. All residents on the canal are encouraged to have their own private party with family and friends in their back yards.

There was a swimming race, water tube races, and a New Section vs Old Section tug of war, which the old section continues to dominate.

The Tug of War was by far the best event of the day. However, it didn’t seem fair to the new section because there were about 55 people for the old section and about 25 for the new section.

The new section will continue to fail if they don’t come together to win. I don’t think its possible for the new section to ever beat the old section, the old section is better at everything. It might be that everyone’s house in the old section is closer so we know each other better, in the new section you people are too spread apart!

The entire team at Gerritsenbeach.net was there to partake in the event. We all had a great time and would like to thank everyone who organized and volunteered including

Mike Taylor, Dave Stevens, Joan Bostwick, Mary Jean & Robert Kralick, Dave Reynolds, NYKids Time for the cartoon characters, Richie Bowers as Uncle Sam, and all of the other volunteers and their families who helped during the day.

I know there are a ton of more people to thank but I don’t know who they are at the moment.

Next time I go to the canal party I have to make sure the Gerritsenbeach.net team goes home on time we don’t remember what time we home.

Photos:

• There is a huge photo gallery here. Leave a comment on Flickr with your name in the picture.
• Here is another set of photos, from the other photographer Ted Levin

I stumbled across this 1951 aerial shot of Gerritsen Beach. What the hell is that in the soccer fields? Is that a gypsy town?

Look at the park in the upper left, that looks interesting. Does anyone know what this is or have any pictures of this?

Seba Avenue skate park has been fixed up, but for how long?

It looks as though on or around Thursday, July 24th, Seba Avenue Park was cleaned up by the Parks Department. Litter was removed and the graffiti was covered. That’s it. Thanks.

According to local skaters the park is falling apart. They absolutely hate the broken glass everywhere and usually clean it up themselves. The park has other problems, like major flooding and the “quarter bowl” (showed above) is slowly chipping away. The skaters also said they did everything they could possibly do with tricks in a month.

They also seem pretty annoyed that they only got half a skate park.

If you happened to missed Sundays Gerritsen Beach Games, hosted by GB Cares, im going to say you missed out on a great day. Check out the Photo Gallery Here

The day was split into two events. From Lois to Seba Avenue there was a car show hosted by TRI FIVE CLASSIC AUTO CLUB. It was really impressive to check out everyone’s cars because you realize how much time and effort and money goes into the cars.

Seba to Cryus Avenue and everything behind the guardrail was the rest of the event.

There was lots of family oriented activities and games including: running races, red light green light 123, a water balloon toss, a watermelon eating contest and bucket brigades.

NY Kids Time provided all of the rides and entertainment including: bounce houses, a tremendous water slide, magic show and an obstacle course for the day.

If your having a block party or event consider them because they did a great job.

Mobil on the Run was practically giving away Hot Dogs, Soda, and Ice Cream at 50 cents.

Big Al of Big Als barber shop is moving into what used to be Mike and Gerard’s.

Seems like a weird move, but good luck to Al

Beach Water quality raises red flags - News 12

I just found a News 12 article specifically talking about Kiddie Beach and the recent report from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The only problem is that everything in the report is wrong!

First off, they didn’t even get the name of the organization that released the report correct. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released the report, they incorrectly have it as the “Natural Resource Council”. It isn’t a big deal but it’s a sign of things to come and I’m sure the NRDC wouldn’t be too happy about giving a fictitious group credit for their report.

“News” 12 goes on to say that Kiddie Beach was shut down over 40 times due to “pollution”.

Kiddie Beach was never shut down over “pollution”. In fact the Department of Health did not close ANY of the beaches due to water quality in 2007.

Why is news 12 making up facts?

The facts are that Kiddie Beach is automatically issued a preemptive wet weather advisory after a rainfall of 0.2 inch per 2 hours or 0.4 inch per 24 hours. The rainwater all over the city runs off or is dumped into area water ways by millions of gallons.

These are the only reasons a beach can be closed.

1. Confirmed samples show that bathing beach water quality exceeds the following water quality standard for marine water beaches: Enterococci geometric mean shall not exceed 35 Colony Forming Units (CFU) per 100 ml for a series of five or more samples collected during a 30-day period.
2. Epidemiological data indicates a significant incidence of related illnesses or repeated complaints/reports of illness/injury received from beach patrons.
3. Sanitary and Safety Survey/Investigation: A sanitary and safety survey or an investigation reveals the presence of potentially hazardous amounts of floatable debris, medical/infectious waste, toxic contaminants, petroleum products or other contamination on the beach, or there is evidence of sewage and wastewater discharge in sufficient quantities that will adversely affect the quality of the beach water.
4. Any other environmental factors determined to be a public health or safety hazard by the NYCDOHMH.

Maybe writing and filiming stories in their cars without any research is a problem.

This bus shelter has quite a history. It was the shelter that was destroyed last year within days of being installed here:

• Look at the Fancy Bus Shelters
• That didn’t take long
• The Never Ending Story
• Bus Shelter Destruction: Not My Kid!