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Today At The Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch: Four Years
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff The Makes Heather Sad
It was four years ago to this day that a motor vehicle crashed through the guardrail gracing the Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch. In the elapsing time this has not been repaired. I felt a “celebration” of sorts was in order and so it came to pass. Follows is footage I shot. Enjoy!
Part I: Introduction
Part II: Introduction/”Never Forget”
Part III: Fellow Greenpointers/Parks Users Weigh In
Part IV: Fellow Greenpointers/Parks Users Weigh In, Cont’d
Part V: Balloons!
Part VI/”Blooper”: The “4” Balloon Pops!
Next up: Jerzy Popieluszko Square!
From The New York Shitty Inbox: More Ado About The Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Newtown Creek, Planet Entitlement
Or: Ten Days & Counting!
(Taken June 16, 2014.)
A tipster writes (on June 6th, 2014)
Hi Heather!
Thank you for your post about the Manhattan Ave Boat Launch. I actually attempted to make an online 311 complaint about it a day or two before your post. However, the 311 website did not accept the complaint since the launch is not listed. Today I attempted to make the same complaint via phone and was again unsuccessful. I ended up making an “agency complaint”. I’m sure many people give up long before this point. I spent about 15 minutes attempting to make the online complaint and 40 minutes making the agency complaint via phone. My agency complaint number is C1-1-977259887
It lists the following:
- Parks Dept does not list the site as a park to enable 311 complaints
- Broken waterfront railing
- Broken railing surrounding grassy area
- Wood chips have not been replaced
- Grass dry and unkempt
- Boats moored to kayak launch access gate
- Dead trees
- Trees with broken branches
- Excessive weeds
I found the the first bullet point rather fascinating. The following, gentle readers, should clarify why.
Let’s review:
- Permits can be/have been issued for the use of this park.
- This would suggest that this piece of public space is in the “Parks” system.
- However, when a complaint is to be lodged it cannot be located. Fascinating.
I suppose the argument could be made that our local parks conservancy/partnership “arrangement” is more interested in the monetization of our public spaces (via the issuance of permits and hosting events such as the Northside Festival) than enforcement/”upkeep”. I would like to kindly counter that much-needed revenue is being lost by allowing these watercraft to moor for free. I wonder what our City Councilman’s position is on this? Anyone?
In any case I was recently advised to poke around online boating forums regarding free mooring at Newtown Creek. Today I did. It was rather illuminating.
Those of you who, say, struggle to pay rent, property taxes or bemoan the woeful condition of our public spaces— few as they are here— should take a moment, read and re-read the previous. Angry yet?
You should be.
“Playing by the rules” is for chumps.
P.S.: It would appear the North Brooklyn Boat Club is now the North Brooklyn Community Boathouse.
Still no listing on the New York State Charities Database. Hmm.
Nonetheless it is located on the premises of the “Broadway Stages Boat Yard“, is still “fiscally sponsored” by Open Space Alliance North Brooklyn— and they’re having a party!
Um, isn’t OSA’s job to help finance public parks?
Flyer credits: the North Brooklyn Boat Club’s Facebook page.
Photo Credit: Dustin Brugmann.
New York Shitty Photos Du Jour: And Then There Were Two
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Newtown Creek, Planet Entitlement
As taken today, June 4th. It would appear now we have two rather large vessels “parked” at the Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch. They are neither kayaks nor are they being “launched”. As you can see gentle readers it would appear one watercraft is, how shall we say, “inhabited”?* Isn’t refreshing to see what precious public park space we have in north “Point being pressed into service in such a manner? Of course the “authorities” have their fair share of blame for allowing this to happen (and not repairing the fence for that matter). Straight up: if you can afford a boat such as either of these, you can afford to pay to have it moored legally. It really is that simple.
*Exactly why anyone would want to live where delights such as this
are the commonplace is a mystery to me. Anyone?
New York Shitty Video & Photos Du Jour: On The Waterfront
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, Long Island City Queens, Newtown Creek
Today since the weather is amenable, I decided to see what’s happening in far north ‘Point. After revisiting my favorite urban artifact (as seen above, she can be found on Commercial Street not terribly far from the kitty condoplex) I swung over to the Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch.
First, I encountered this. I do not know when this happened. But it did.
I was stunned at how many boats were moored, illegally I’ll add, on the Queens side of the creek. I have it on excellent intelligence that yes, some of these boats are being pressed into service as residences. Residences on Newtown Creek. Please take a moment to mull this one over, gentle readers.
I do know when this happened: June 9th, 2013. As you can see it has yet to be repaired. No one seems to know if, much less when, this will come to pass. That seems to be the “Greenpoint Way” nowadays.
I was rather distressed to see this: a tree in a clear state of distress. Onward I walked.
No exploration of the utter absurdity that is the Greenpoint waterfront is complete without a visit to the North Brooklyn Boat Club.
Lest any of you are wondering what this is, it is the “Ed Shed”. The “NBBC” (via Open Space Alliance North Brooklyn— remember the latter handles money for the previous) secured a $25,000 grant for this educational facility. Yes, you just read me correctly. This structure will feature a “Sewer In A Suitcase”, material/date about water quality and various art projects for the edification of school groups.
I found this rather large vessel moored to the west curious— but not as curious as…
this one which is affixed to the premises of the Department of Transportation directly under the Pulaski Bridge. Is this legal? No, it probably is not. While we’re on the subject of questionable legality, 51 Ash Street (the premises of the North Brooklyn Boat Club and the new location of the Greenpoint Boathouse) appears to have an al fresco kitchen…
… replete with a barbecue pit…
and “kitchen sink”.
Note that this fixture does appear to be fully functional— and begs a number of questions:
- Where is the water coming from? (Educated guess: 49 Ash Street).
- Were the proper permits filed to do this? (Educated guess: No.)
- How is it that an “educational facility” located on private property (which is under lock and key) can receive a $25,000 grant (and assistance from our local parks conservancy group) and public park whose fence was seriously damaged ten months ago is seemingly not worthy of attention— much less the funding— required to conduct repairs and routine maintenance?
Anyone?
New York Shitty Photo Du Jour: Greetings From The Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Newtown Creek, Wow, WTF
This is the “haul” for two fellows, very nice guys both), crabbing on Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch earlier this evening. As you can probably deduce they are not doing this “for sport”. In other words this is probably tonight’s dinner. Yup…
Coming At You From The Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch…
Where Kayaks Probably Ain’t The Only Things Being Launched…
I had some trepidation about posting this. However, I reconsidered my stance when I thought about the MTA’s exhortation to its patrons:
If you see something, say something.
Well, Saturday night the Mister and I saw something. Now I’m saying something.
Our Saturday night started as many do: a lively debate about dinner. Such things happen between a vegetarian and recalcitrant carnivore. It took some time, but this matter was settled. Afterward the Mister wanted to visit the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory— because he needed a strawberry malt. Alas, we were six minutes too late: 9:06 p.m. I suggested we swing by the Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch so as to view the aftermath of this insanity. He agreed. That’s when we saw the above bus. We found this curious.
We proceeded to the park proper. NOTE: I am using photos taken the next day so as to better illustrate my story. If I was psychic, I would have had my camera ready and pointed. Hell, if I was psychic I’d be playing the lotto as opposed to operating this site. But alas I am not. So here we go.
This is the Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch.
This is fence which was damaged by an aspiring U-boat. WOW.
1. Indicates where a trio of park goers were sitting and sipping coolattas Saturday night.
2. Indicates where the Mister and I were standing.
The Coolatta sippers inquired as to why this fence was in a state of disrepair. I told them. A lively discussion ensued. Then something really weird happened.
The bus driver charged with said bus exited the Kayak Launch with a female companion. We were all perplexed by this. We saw neither hide nor hair of either of them. We said nothing.
Me (to the Mister): She’s eating Mentos. “The Fresh Maker”. I think he just got a blowjob.
The Mister (to me): I think you’re right.
The bus driver parted ways with his female companion and commenced his rounds. I later saw him on Manhattan Avenue. I was tempted to shout:
How was the blowjob?!?
But bus drivers— especially those of the B43— get enough shit already. Let’s just say I’ll be watching the Kayak Launch more closely now— and you should too. Lest you are wondering, gentle readers, this kind of thing is not unknown here. Case in point.
PHOTO CREDITS/HAT TIP: to The Duncan Daily for the image at left.
UPDATE, June 17, 2013: A fellow named Dave writes;
as an aside – I was walking home along Manhattan Ave on Saturday night, and popped into the deli on the corner of Manhattan and Nassau. As I was inside, a bus screeched to a halt outside. The driver jumped out of the bus, ran into the deli and loudly asked the purveyor – “Hey, you got Mentos? …as i was leaving the deli, he held up a packet of mentos, and, looking to someone on board the bus asked “this ok?”
Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: Bottoms Up!
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
This fellow was the source of much bemused interest on the behalf park goers at the Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch this afternoon. Unfortunately (or fortunately— it’s a matter of the beholder) the dulcet sounds emanating from the adjacent scrap metal establishment going about its business awakened this fellow from his slumber. Upon becoming aware that he was not alone this chap decided that perhaps this was neither the right place nor the right time to rock the “Coppertone” look. Happy Spring, Greenpointers!
New York Shitty Video Du Jour, Part I: The Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch, Revisited
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Newtown Creek
Upon having it brought to my attention— yet again— that trash collection (among many other things) continues to be a problem at the Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch, today I decided to swing by and see it for myself. While certainly better than it has been in days past, there is clearly still ample room for improvement. Not only was this apparent by the overflowing garbage cans, but it was pointed out to me by none other than Kate Zidar: the immensely dedicated and all-around nice lady who heads the Newtown Creek Alliance.
You see, as it would happen she was there with a film crew from Vice Magazine. They were awaiting the arrival of a boat to take them up the ‘creek. Anyhoo, not knowing anything about plants/plant life (other than having an uncanny ability to kill them*) I asked her if she would take a moment to explain what else is amiss at this piece of public space. She was kind enough to oblige me. Without further ado, here we go!
I suspect I speak on the behalf of many folks when I write that I was absolutely ecstatic when this park— however small it may be— finally opened. Thus, it makes me not only sad but quite angry to see it in such a state. Or to put it differently: if the powers-that-be cannot take care of a park as modest as this one, why should the problems at the McCarren Park (and specifically its pool) come as a surprise? I for one am not surprised. Disappointed and fed up? Absolutely. But surprised? No. We deserve better than this, north ‘Pointers. Really.
*Yours truly is more effective than pesticide. I have been known to even dispatch cactus to its maker on occasion (hence why I stick to jade plants). Thus I am very, seriously, grateful for Ms. Zidar bringing me (and us) up to speed. Thanks!
New York Shitty Video Du Jour: Clean!
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
I would like to take a moment to thank the folks at the New York City Parks Department for addressing the refuse problem at the Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch. Keep it up!
New York Shitty Video Du Jour: Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Taken today, July 9th, 2012.
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