Community Planning Partner Survey #1

Our Community Planning Partners, Randy Millard and Karrie Scarboro, put together a survey with questions regarding the state of Brownsville. Despite the violence and the everyday struggle a Brownsville resident endures, we must put our minds together to create a better Brownsville. Our Community Planning Partners will be in the neighborhood with the Community Planning Partner Surveys for you to fill out. The survey is only Five (5) questions. Here are the questions:

1. Describe Brownsville:
2. What are some advantages/disadvantages in Brownsville?
3. What are ways we can unite our community?
4. What are your opinions/suggestions in attracting our youth in the Brownsville Community?
5. In which direction do you see Brownsville going to within the next Five years?

These are the questions that can change Brownsville! Picture that! Our Community Planning Partners have something special in-store for Brownsville. Come along and join the Community Planning Partners in making efforts to make Brownsville a better environment! 

Brownsville, Brooklyn Facebook Page

To all of my Facebook users, there is a Brownsville, Brooklyn Facebook Group Page! Check it out! Put up some of your suggestions and opinions on how we can change the neighborhood! Most importantly, add the page to one of your favorite pages. Let's make a change now! Hope Is Inside

 Brownsville, Brooklyn Facebook Group Page

The Japan Society Visits Brownsville

November 2-3, 2010

An observation field trip to Brownsville district of Brooklyn, New York. Followed by Social design charrette by designers, social entrepreneurs, and others whose work includes addressing social issues.

Organized by Japan Society


Visit The Japan Society Website to see what they do in the Japanese Community The Japan Society


Here are some photos taken from The Japan Society. 


To view the photos as a slideshow click here: Sildeshow


To view the photos as a thumbnail click here: Thumbnail Link for Photos

Brownsville on the Water

by Shawn Brooks

The Brownsville Partnership staff cruised the Hudson River enjoying the sounds and vibes of the summer abroad the Skyline Princess. Common Ground's annual summer all staff event brought together all departments and all 350 staff members for a day of food, music, socializing, dancing, and sight seeing as we sailed across the hudson river. The Brownsville Partnership staff all came in our summer best and it was a well deserved day of fun. Can't wait til next year!

Brownsville Partnership Farmer's Market

Are you hungry for food? But not just any food – amazingly fresh, ripe produce that is local and organic? I think your next market destination is the Brownsville Partnership Farmer’s Market on Livonia and Rockaway. The Brownsville Partnership has partnered with GrowNYC to provide healthier food to local Brownsville residents. Every Friday from 2PM to 6PM, we have a stand right across the 3 subway stop. With tables lush with corn, onions, scallions, beets, radishes, cherries, blueberries, and oh, so much more, it’ll be a feast for the eyes as well as hungry bellies. We take WIC, Health Bucks, Food Stamps/EBT, and cash. For every $5 EBT/Foodstamps you spend, you get $2 of FREE Health Bucks. By buying our produce, not only will you be helping out your health, but you’ll be directly supporting the Brownsville community and local farmers.

The Brownsville Community

Each Youthmarket farm stand is like a smallbusiness operated by its staff of teen entrepreneurs. We have employed threeBrownsville teenagers – Kashaun, Toby, and Douglas. After attending GrowNYC’s two-day training in Manhattan and attending various meetings at the Brownsville Partnership office, we’ve prepared them to organize and operate an urban farm stand in Brownsville.

With the guidance of Shane, our experienced Youthmarket coordinator, these young New Yorkers learn all aspects of small business management, including customer service, promotion, and marketing. They’ve also discovered the price and quality advantages of eating seasonal, local produce, as well as the nutritional value of the food they sell.

The Local Farmers

GrowNYC purchases wholesale quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables from local producers participating in the Greenmarket program or at the wholesale market for local growers in Hunt’s Point. This system provides farmers with additional revenue without requiring them to make the costly investments associated with retailing. Because most of the farmers who supply our markets have insufficient staff to handle multiple markets on a single day, the sales achieved through our market would otherwise be difficult to achieve. Furthermore, by expanding the market for locally grown produce, our market helps to keep regional farmland in production and reduce carbon emissions.

We’re going to start cooking classes sometime soon, so be on the look out!

by Shawn Brooks


In the mist of a city wide heatwave, an inferno was setting the streets ablaze in Brownsville Brooklyn. The young and the old all came out to soak up the sun, the water and, and the rhythmic vibes of the 2nd part of the 2nd annual Pitkin Summer Plazas celebrating the Brownsville Community and its merchants that align the Pitkin ave strip. If you weren't playing Bingo for prizes, you prolly were either riding one of the free scooters or rented a free bike from Bike and Roll of NYC. Maybe you were just enjoying the sweet sounds of Gospel harmonizing from the New Life Seven Day Adventist Praise Team or grooving to the sounds of Central America coming from the WAGAYUI BAND out of Gautemala. A good time was had by all no matter what you came for. The storm approached(approaching storm band) as the kids splished and splashed in the outdoor pool and sprinklers.

If you walked further down the strip you would have seen childrens face covered with mask they just made under the Arts & Craft tent. Or you might've even seen little kids walking up to you offering you a neighborly smile and a friendly hello with the newly made sock puppet. If you missed out on all of that, don't kick your self just yet. because you'll have one more opportunity to celebrate with us Saturday July 24th same time, same place.. dont be late and dont forget the camera! see you there!

First Easter egg hunt at Betsy Head Memorial Park in Brownsville, Brooklyn

BY Randy Kreider DAILY NEWS WRITER
Sunday, April 4th 2010

Easter came a day early in Brooklyn yesterday morning, when dozens of eggs-cited children stormed Betsy Head Memorial Park for a massive egg hunt.
It was the first Easter event at the Brownsville park, but kids hoped it would become an annual spring tradition.
"I wish I had an egg detector," said Mirlaine Tanis, 10, who lives nearby. "I like the colors, like light pink, and the dresses you get to wear."
"I like the chocolate," added her brother, Christian, 8.
He was not alone.
"My favorite thing about this is the candy," said Amber Williams, 7, who accumulated a massive supply of sweets during the bash. "I think I will find 60 eggs because when it comes to eggs, I'm not kidding."
Amber also won the Easter hat contest, scoring her even more candy.
Her mother - who made the pink hat with carnations and an Easter bunny on top - was happy to be outside in her neighborhood with so many people having fun. "It's a beautiful day," said Vanetta Williams, 31. "It's sunny outside, and it's something fun to do.