Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Ocean (Parkway) #AToZChallenge

Brooklyn was its own city when Ocean Parkway was born.

It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux after a Parisian boulevard. It was the United States' first greenway and contained it's first bicycle path - back in the 1800's.

I've known Ocean Parkway for all of my life.  My father's younger sister lived in an apartment building on Ocean Parkway and raised two children, my cousins, there.  I have so many fond memories of Ocean Parkway.  I'd love to show this approximately five mile gem to you.

If you think New York City is only a city of skyscrapers, you have a treat coming.
How about this?

Flowering trees.  This photo was taken in May of 2013.
Parts of Ocean Parkway go through heavily Jewish neighborhoods.  Here, tents of flower sellers are set up in front of a synagogue for the holiday of Shavuot.
Trees flowering in front of an apartment building.

And, there are still traces of a historic Ocean Parkway.  At the intersection with Avenue P, there is a mile marker, the last one left.

I have so many memories of walking with my cousins on Ocean Parkway. Later, when visiting family, I wheeled my baby son along the parkway in a stroller, with one of my cousins.

Traveling through time and space, for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

8 comments:

  1. I watch Blue Bloods and I always love seeing the homes that the characters live in. It's a part of NYC I've never seen.

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  2. It looks like a lovely place Alana - those flowering trees are beautiful.
    Leanne | cresting the hill

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  3. That is a very cool mile marker. I love how you show the 'real' parts of the city as well. You are correct - it's not all skyscrapers.

    ~Mary
    Jingle Jangle Jungle
    #AtoZChallenge 1970's Billboard Hits

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  4. Cool. We have an Ocean Blvd, too. Not as green as yours. But pretty in its own right.

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  5. Our town doesn't have bike a hiking trail...Coffee is on

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  6. I remember riding my bike down the Parkway. And, my grandfather in his royal Nash taking me to Coney Island. With my pinwheel (with the stem filled with candy) whirling out the window.

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