Gowanus Canal investigations, Free Movie Nights in Prospect Park, Make Music Day, Coney Island Mermaid Day Parade

by Park Slope Living

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Welcome to Park Slope Living’s weekly newsletter, Park Slope Pulse. We spend hours curating the most important news and events each week ✨ for free ✨ to save you time sifting through listings and articles - and you’ll get to know more about a fellow neighbor! Park Slope Pulse comes out earlier than other weekly roundups, giving you the first insights to make plans or start conversations.

Photo By Jordan Rathkopf at Prospect Park

Here’s what’s happening this week:

• New York authorities have been investigating approximately 100 blocks surrounding the Gowanus Canal, a Superfund site known for its severe pollution, to determine how many are contaminated with cancer-causing vapors and toxins. As development in Gowanus continues, residents are concerned that proper care is not being taken to ensure the land is free of cancer-causing toxins and disappointed in the lack of transparency. To stay up to date with this, follow Voice of Gowanus. [NY Post]

• Openings: Sterling Record Store open now at 121 5th Avenue between Sterling and St Johns, Luna La Mer, a Cafe and Kitchen, opens later this month/early July, Brooklyn Beauty/Fashion Labo, a Japanese-American innovation hub, reopening on June 21st at 300 7th Street between 4th and 5th Avenue.

— Ky and Viv

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Special Feature: Inspira Physical Therapy & Pilates

Inspira Physical Therapy & Pilates is here to empower and inspire the lives of our Brooklyn community!

We offer a variety of specialized treatments, including Pilates group and private classes and unique programs, including pilates for EDS/Hypermobilty, physical therapy for pelvic floor, craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, and integrative physical therapy, which combines PT and pilates in one session.

We're located at 275 4th Avenue, between Garfield Place & 1st Street in Park Slope.

[To get featured here, email info@parkslopeliving for more info]

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Our Top Picks

Thursday (Today)

• Brooklyn Talks: Artists on Giants @ The Brooklyn Museum, 7-9 PM: Join artists Jarvis Boyland and Jamel Shabazz at the Brooklyn Museum to celebrate Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys with a conversation moderated by Kimberli Giant. Both Boyland and Shabazz are featured in the publication alongside several other African and Black disaporic artists. Tickets to this talk will include after-hours access to the the Giants exhibit, where you'll have an opportunity to view some of the pieces from the Dean Collection. $30. Purchase tickets here.

• Lalo-Palooza @ JJ Byrne Playground at the Old Stone House, 10-11:30 AM: Lalo-palooza is a family-friendly music series in partnership with children's performer Suzi Shelton and Park Slope Parents. This music series has been occurring weekly since 25th, and there are two dates left! Stop by this week to see Suzi accompanied by banjo player Jared Engle. Expect coloring stations and other kid-friendly activities as well as giveaways! FREE.

• Rooftop Films Presents: MY FIRST FILM @ The Old American Can Factory, 8-11:30 PM: As part of Rooftop Films’ Summer Series, attend the North American premiere of Zia Anger’s MY FIRST FILM. “Starring Odess Young as a filmmaker recounting a disastrous film shoot from her youth, Anger’s ingeniously conceived debut is an auto fictional nesting doll probing at the very nature of artistic truth and personal myth making”. The event will feature pre-show live music from Raia Was, a Q&A with filmmaker Zia Anger, and an afterparty sponsored by Ketel One. $20.05. Purchase tickets here (limited tickets left!).

Friday

• Josh Gondelman - Special Taping @ The Bell House, 10 PM: Comedian, Josh Gondelman, will be recording his standup special at the Bell House this Friday! The early show is sold out, but there’s still a chance to see this Emmy Award winning comedian and writer perform at the late show. $35.45. Purchase tickets here.

• Make Music Day , 8-9 PM: Celebrate the music of the world at Make Music Day, a free event that will be taking place across the entire city. Originating in France as Originating in France as Fête de la Musique, Make Music Day features free concerts and performances across the city from musicians of all ages and skill levels. The event will be taking place across the five boroughs, but if you’re looking to stay local there will be several spots to catch live music here in the neighborhood. Check out the map to find participating locations! FREE.

Saturday

• BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! NPR Tiny Desk Contest On The Road - Thee Sacred Souls, Adi Oasis, The Philharmonik @ Lena Horne Bandshell, 6 PM: Head to Prospect Park on Saturday for a night of incredible music surrounded by community. Headlining this highly anticipated show is San Diego’s Thee Sacred Souls, a Soul and R&B inspired trio that has grown to massive popularity over the past few years. Opening is Adi Oasis, with her rich vocals and funky bass-playing. The event will also feature a set from this year’s Tiny Desk Contest winner, The Philharmonik. FREE. RSVP here (recommended).

• Prospect Park Soiree @ Prospect Park Peninsula, 5-10 PM: “Brooklyn’s most magical gathering” returns to Prospect Park this Saturday. The Soiree is an outdoor dinner and dance party held at Prospect Park’s Peninsula. Attendees dress up, bring picnic dinners, decorate their tables, and enjoy an evening of festivities in Brooklyn’s backyard. Though the event is officially SOLD OUT, you can visit the event Facebook Page to self-coordinate a ticket exchange with someone who can no longer attend or keep the soiree mind for next year! $60 (SOLD OUT). More event info here.

• 42nd Annual Mermaid Parade @ Coney Island, 1 PM: The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is an annual event celebrating the arrival of summer. Expect to see the streets filled with people dressed as mermaids, sea animals, and other ocean-themed characters. The parade is an opportuntiy to kick off the summer with a whimsical celebration of Brooklyn’s creativity. FREE. Event details and map here.

Sunday

• Coffee + Art Marking- Block Printed Tote Bags @ Grounded Cafe, 10:30-12PM: Coffee and crafts, the perfect way to begin a Sunday! Join Private Picassos and Grounded Cafe for a block printing workshop where you will sketch a design, learn basic relief printing techniques, create your own linoleum stamp, and decorate a tote bag that’s yours to take home at the end of the class. The event includes all of the materials that you will need to decorate your tote bag as well as one free drink from Grounded Cade. For $10 extra, you can add on a yoga class with Brooklyn Flow ($25 value). $70-80. Purchase ticket here.

• Smith Street Music and Arts Festival @ Smith Street (Carroll Gardens), 12-9PM: The Smith Street Music and Arts Festival will takeover Smith Street in Carroll Gardens this Sunday. Expect free concerts, outdoor dining, craft and art vendors, bounce houses, a mini circus, and more from this street fair! FREE. Event details here.

• Lazy Daze: Friends and Lovers x MoCADA @ Liberty Lawn at Brooklyn Bridge Park, 3-9 PM: Celebrate Pride Month, Black Music Month, Immigrant Heritage, and Juneteenth weekend with Friends and Lovers, MoCADA, and Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy at Pier 6. Come out and spend your Sunday relaxing with live performances and DJ sets. FREE. RSVP here.

Wednesday

• Paramount+ Free Movie Night: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark @ Prospect Park’s Long Meadow, 6 PM: The Paramount+ Movie Night Series’ Prospect Park run begins on June 26th with a showing of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark! The series will be taking place on four consecutive Wednesdays at the North end of Long Meadow. The showings will begin shortly after sundown. Attendees with RSVP will receive free popcorn while supplies last! FREE. RSVP and event details here.

Check out the comments for anything we’ve missed!

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Q&A: Sam Lewis

Our Q&A this week is with Sam Lewis, Director of Gardens at the Old Stone House. The beautiful gardens at the Old Stone House are co-designed with the community and serve as an important gathering space for local residents. We’re excited to share more about Sam’s journey to this unique field and his experience at the Old Stone House. If you’re curious to connect with Sam and learn more about his business, you can find him on Instagram or his website.

What led you to this field, and how did that experience lead you to become Director of Gardens at the Old Stone House? 

I was born and raised in Manhattan and wasn't interested in plants at all as a kid. But I went to college in Southern California, and was amazed to see so many different types of fruiting plants (avocadoes, citrus, figs, passion fruit vines, loquats, stonefruits, etc). I first learned about climate change in college at the same time that I was exposed to these amazing California plants; I learned about sustainable agriculture and majored in environmental studies so that I could contribute to positive changes in our food system. I worked on farms in Southern California and Arkansas but eventually moved back to New York to be closer to friends and family.... After working for 2 years at the Horticultural Society of NY as the supervisor for a workforce development program, and 2 years as the head gardener for a boutique garden design firm I decided that I wanted to contribute to public horticulture, and was attracted to the Old Stone House gardens because they are unique as one of Brooklyn's best examples of 'permaculture' in practice. At the same time, I started my garden design, installation, and maintenance business and now have about 50 private clients (mostly rooftops) in Manhattan and Brooklyn. I currently split my time between managing my business and working as the Director of Gardens at the Old Stone House.

How have the gardens evolved since you took on this role, and what are you most proud of achieving? 

When I started working as the Director of Gardens at the Old Stone House in spring 2020, many areas of the park were closed off and gated shut. The gardens relied on rainwater, and the plants wilted in summer. There were only 2 active garden volunteers. To start, I recruited neighborhood residents who were interested in volunteering in the gardens. Together with the volunteers, we opened gated areas and created pathways for kids to explore. We installed irrigation systems in all areas of the park to give ourselves more time to focus on other garden tasks (previously we would spend hours hand watering with hoses). We created areas specifically designated for cut flowers, which we sell at summer farmers markets to generate income which we use to purchase supplies and plants for the park. We received hundreds of plants from the NYC parks department nursery and planted them in all areas of the park. We created a partnership with DSNY and now accept tons of food scraps annually from local residents. We created a horticultural therapy program for adults with developmental disabilities, hosting a group from the League school on Wednesdays. Our tool lending library offers free tools to school gardeners in district 15 public schools. we have a lot going on! I'm most proud of our group of about 20 garden volunteers - without them the park would be a disaster.... they do so much hard work.

What are some of the most interesting plants or features in the garden that visitors might not notice at first glance?

Many of the kids and their caretakers who come to the park are looking for berries to eat. Most of them immediately find our raspberries, which fruit all summer. But we also have lots of other edible perennial plants such as gooseberry, currant, grapes, paw paw, persimmon, plums, serviceberry, blackberry, wineberry, hops, lemon balm, and Korean celery. These plants are what make the gardens here unique - it is an example of what permaculture can look like in our urban environment.

How do you measure the impact of the gardens on the local community, both environmentally and socially?

The Old Stone House gardens serve as a hub for the community. Kids birthday parties are hosted in our garden spaces. Concerts for toddlers are given in the park. last year we had over 500,000 park visitors. we serve as the recess yard for MS 51 which is located across the street. Numerous camps and sports teams practice on our astroturf lawn. Our education department hosts school groups throughout the year, and the kids participate in plant scavenger hunts. Caretakers bring toddlers to the park year round. The park is almost always full!! And our director of programs is always juggling a full calendar of events, workshops, and activities. 

In what ways, if any, do you see the gardens serving as a space for community building and fostering connections among the local community? 

Our garden volunteer program brings folks from diverse backgrounds together. volunteers come to do a little work, but more importantly, we spend time together and build friendships with each other. Two of the highlights of the year are our bi annual garden volunteer appreciation parties, when we fire up our brick oven and make pizzas together.

Looking ahead, what are your future goals and plans for the gardens at the Old Stone House?

I would like to continue to beautify the Old Stone House gardens and to put the gardens on the map as one of the premier gardens in New York City which is free and open to the public 24/7. Our Garden Coordinator Angel Lombardo is currently working on an interactive plant mapping project, which will educate the public about the plants we have growing in the park. Hopefully we'll be installing these maps in the garden spaces by the end of this summer.

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