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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
Within this magnificent city called New York are open spaces of nature. Though surrounded by skyscrapers and brownstones, these spaces provide city dwellers with green lawns and acres of what once was. There are more than 1,700 parks in New York City covering more than 28,000 acres. From your small neighborhood park to the biggest park in NYC, Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, there is a haven for everyone.
Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx is the largest park in NYC covering 2,765 acres. Rich in history, the land on which it sits was purchased in 1639 from the Native Americans by a Dutch West India Company. European settlers made several unsuccessful attempts to settle the area as it was still controlled by the Siwanoy Indians. In 1654 an Englishman by the name of Thomas Pell signed a peace pact with Siwanoy leader, Chief Wampage. Pell was successful in settling the area including the tract that is now known as Pelham Bay Park.
Historic features of Pelham Bay Park can be viewed by visitors. There are remnants of walls that surrounded the Pell Estate that during the Revolutionary War, Massachusetts Patriots hid behind and stopped the British and Hessian soldiers from making their way north. Parts of Hunter Mansion, once visited by president Martin Van Buren, remain on Hunter Island. A fully preserved mansion built by Robert Bartow, a descendant of Thomas Pell, is now a museum.
Bartow Powell Mansion
For someone interested in seeing the environmental side of the park, one can take up bird watching at the Central Parks Swampland to view the migrating songbirds and ruby throated hummingbirds. Take a self guided tour of the parks wetland border, rocky shore and interior forest along the Kazimiroff Nature Trail.
Kazimiroff Nature Trail
For more information about Pelham Bay Park, please visit:
NYC Department of Parks & Recreation |
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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
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NOHO NY is a blog created by the Business Improvement District for the NOHO neighborhood. The neighborhood was designated as a historic district in June of 1999 and BID works to maintain the integrity of all the historic buildings in the neighborhood. Visit the website to find out news and happenings in the area. |
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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
The Williamsburg neighborhood is located in the northern part of the borough of Brooklyn. Connected to Manhattan by the Williamsburg Bridge, the neighborhood is home to many Manhattan commuters. It has a thriving art community and is home to many ethnic groups.
Originally part of the town of Bushwick, Williamsburg came to be after a 13 acre piece of property was surveyed in 1802 by Colonel Jonathan Williams for who it is named after. It became incorporated as the Village of Williamsburg with the Town of Bushwick in 1827 soon had over 1,000 inhabitants. Because of its location near the East River, many industrialists were drawn to build factories and refineries as the deep drafts in the river allowed for large ships to easily access the area. Ship building was also done in this area.
Due to the factories and refineries, the population increased and Williamsburg became it's own city in 1852. In 1855, the city of Williamsburg and the town of Bushwick became annexed into the City of Brooklyn and was referred to as the Eastern District. During this time, Williamsburg went through a tremendous growth in economic, industrial and cultural areas. The district had thriving businesses and was a popular resort area. Many wealthy New Yorkers were attracted to the area and built shore side mansions. The Pratt Institute was founded during this time as well as Corning Glass Works began here before moving to Upstate NY.
In 1898, Brookly itself became one of the five boroughs of New York City. In 1903 the Williamsburg Bridge was built connecting Williamsburg to Manhattan. The bridge opened the community to the rest of the city and it saw a huge influx of city dwellers leaving the overcrowded slum tenements of Manhattan. Williamsburg soon became the most densely populated area in the United States.
As in many areas of the city after World War II, Williamsburg's economy started to decline. The area had a population surge as refugee's from war torn Europe immigrated into the area as well as immigrants from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Due to the decline of industry and the increase in population the area soon became known for it's crime and poverty.
In the 1970's many budding artists were drawn to the area due to the low rent and large spaces. The artist population increased through the 1980's and 1990's and is still a popular destination for artists today.
In 2005, NYC passed a rezoning for the North side area and Greenpoint Waterfront. Most of the area will be zoned for "mixed use" high rises with residential space above and retail at the ground levels. A two mile string of esplanades and a waterfront park are to be developed as well.
For more in depth information about Williamsburg, please visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamsburg%2C_Brooklyn |
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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
  
Situated southwest of the rest of NYC is what is sometimes referred to as the "forgotten borough" aka Staten Island. Though the third largest in square miles, it is the least populated of the five boroughs in New York City. Staten Island is primarily suburban and was once mainly dominated by dairy and poultry farms on the southern and central sections of the island. It has seen a steady increase in population since the opening of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in 1964.
The island was first discovered by Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524 who had sailed through the Narrows. Henry Hudson, in 1609, set up trade on the island and gave it the name, Staaten Eylandt after the Staten-Generaal, the Dutch parliament.
Staten Island had its first permanent settlement in 1661 after several attempts years earlier were defeated due to conflicts between the settlers and local Indian tribes. The first permanent settlers were a small group of Dutch Walloon and Huguenot families.
In 1667, the New Netherlands colony on the island was ceded to England in the Treaty of Breda and having been Anglicized to Staten Island it became part of the colony of New York. A few years later in 1683, the colony of New York was divided into ten separate counties and Staten Island became part of Richmond County.
The island was split into four administrative divisions which eventually became the four townships of Northfield, Southfield, Westfield and Castleton. By 1708, the island was divided out into 166 small farms and two large manorial estates.
Staten Island also has it's stake in the American Revolutionary War. In 1776, British forces had evacuated Boston in preparation to attack New York City under the leadership of William Howe. The forces used the strategic location of Staten Island as a staging ground for the attack.
In 1898, New York City consolidated and the county of Richmond became a borough. The borough remained relatively undeveloped except for the areas along the harbor until the opening of the Verazzano Bridge in 1964. The opening of the bridge made Staten Island much more accessible to Manhattan as well as direct access to Brooklyn thus making it a desirable location for residents of NYC to relocate to.
The borough of Richmond was renamed to the borough of Staten Island in 1975. The island still retains many open spaces which were incorporated into the Gateway National Recreation Area, part of the National Park System, in 1972. One other thing that is brought to mind when people think of Staten Island is the Fresh Kills Landfill. The landfill was the primary destination for refuse from NYC until 2001 when it was closed. It was re-opened temporarily after the 9/11 attacks to receive the ruins of the World Trade Center.
For more in depth history about Staten Island, please visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staten_Island
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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
NoVo
343 Fourth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
The ambience of luxury is evident upon entering the lobby of the NoVo building, welcoming home residents as they enter through a landscaped garden from a quiet 5th Street entrance.
The open layouts and remarkable array of sunlit building amenities, including a childrens's playroom and fitness center, are what life at the Novo is all about.
Home interior feature wide plank Maple floors, marble and Italian porcelain tile in the bathroom. Kitchens are equipped with stainless steel appliances including washer and dryer.
For further information about the NoVo, please contact:
Novo - Sales & Design Center
Phone: (866) 443-6686
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