KC On The Go

Brooklyn – home to a famous bridge, iconic accents and me! In recent years, Brooklyn has become a hip destination for artists, young professionals and families priced out of Manhattan. Now, I may be a bit biased living there myself, but it’s easy to see the attraction. Brooklyn is a glorious piece of Old New York charm, which in and of itself is rare these days, combined with all the modern amenities you could need in life. The great thing about Brooklyn is that it’s managed to hold onto that neighborhood feel – each one feels like it’s own little community.

Park Slope is the embodiment of all this. With its beautiful tree lined streets, Victorian-era brownstones that give you serious house envy, Patrick Stewart…need I say more?…it seems to have it all. It was even once named the most liveable neighborhood in New York City. A famous former resident includes none other than President Barack Obama. Everyone living in Park Slope knows it’s a neighborhood worth travelling to Brooklyn for. If it’s good enough for Patrick and a former President, who are we to argue? Just ignore the sidewalks filled with strollers and abysmal parking and you’ll be just fine.

HISTORY

Settled by Dutch farmers in the 17th century, it didn’t become an official neighborhood until much later – the mid-1800s. The neighborhood  got its name by residents who would call it the park slope due to the sloping hills they’d climb leading to Prospect Park. In the 18th century, the area was the site of a battle that was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. A bit more on that later.

Now, the borders of Park Slope have been debated for ages so they’re somewhat fluid. Some say from Atlantic to 9th Street going north to south and 4th Ave to Prospect Park West from west to east. Others are more stingy with borders and won’t even consider the numbered streets. Still others have it going all the way down to Greenwood Cemetery, though I suspect this is mostly people that live down there. It’s one of those mysteries of the world that will never be solved.

WHAT TO DO

Park Slope is a walkers dream. It boasts not one but two main avenues filled with restaurants, bars and shops. I love to walk up 5th Avenue, pop in some shops, admire the buildings with beautiful murals painted on the sides. Then walk over to 7th Ave and hit the little flea market between 1st and 2nd Street. 

For those, like myself, who love football…real football (soccer) you have your choice of pubs that open very early Saturday and Sunday for a little Premier League action and the other European leagues as well. My favorite is the Black Horse Pub, it’s a great space with a great owner (a Tottenham supporter) and no shortage of screens so every match is available.

One of my favorite days of the year in Park Slope is the day of the 5th Avenue Fair. It comes every year like clockwork on the third Sunday in May and is one of THE best street fairs in New York City. The entirety of 5th Avenue set up stands on the street and join the independent merchants for a day of fun, live music and a lot of outdoor eating, drinking and dancing in the streets. It’s a great day for the community.

PROSPECT PARK

For a little vitamin D and nature, Prospect Park is just up that aforementioned hill. Prospect Park is the crown jewel of the neighbourhood. It’s 526 acres of lush greenery designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the same duo that designed Central Park. It’s sometimes hard to fathom how that much land can be plopped down right in the middle of the bustling city and Central Park has another 300 or so acres. It may be smaller than its older sibling but it’s no less beautiful. In fact, it’s said that Olmsted and Vaux had learned from any mistakes in Central Park’s design by the time blueprints were being drawn up for Prospect. So much so that Olmsted called it his true masterpiece.

Whether you’re a runner, cyclist or fancy a swing of the racket, Prospect Park has you covered. Tennis, anyone? The bandshell has an impressive lineup of talent every summer for their concert series. For some mouth-watering fare, Grand Army Plaza on the north end of the park plays host to a greenmarket every Saturday. And, Smorgasburg, the biggest open air food market in America sets up shop on Sundays within the park from April through October with local vendors selling their wares – each stand more appetising than the last. When in doubt, you can always head over to the Prospect Park Zoo.

OLD STONE HOUSE

For the history lovers, there’s the National Trust Old Stone House. Built in 1933, it is a reconstruction of the 17th century Dutch farmstead Vechte-Cortelyou House. It is situated on the exact site and erected with the same bricks of the famous building where the Revolutionary War battle took place in August 1776. The original building was destroyed in 1897. The site also commemorates the birthplace of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The building served as the clubhouse for the Brooklyn Superbas who would later become the Dodgers.

These days, the house serves to preserve and teach Brooklyn’s history with exhibits, community events, local theatre, live music performances and after school programs. The Piper Theatre on site does a lovely Shakespeare in the Park every summer, in addition to an entire schedule of quality shows throughout the year. They also host a lovely farmer’s market on Sundays.

Well, time to get out there and explore the treasures Brooklyn has to offer. I’m writing this in LA and it’s made me miss home a bit, if I’m honest. Especially the part about the Dodgers – Brooklyn forever! There aren’t any trolley dodgers in LA! But then, I’ve always been an East Coaster through and through. Until we meet again next week, with me back in good ol’ New York – cheers!