13 Apr ’16c.mollon

Prospect-Lefferts Gardens – casey mollon

I decided to focus on Prospect-Lefferts Gardens (the neighborhood just on the North/Northeast side of Prospect Park) for my neighborhood assignment. I was intrigued in analyzing this neighborhood because there is a stark contrast between the authentic parts of this neighborhood and the aspects that are products of gentrification. I felt this topic was important right now especially because Smorgasburg, a Brooklyn Flea Food Market and a hotspot for NYC natives as well as tourists, has just moved locations to Prospect-Lefferts Gardens. Originally, the market was open on Saturdays in Williamsburg (and still is) – a neighborhood infamous for being taken over by gentrification and being just as, if not more prestigious as living in Manhattan – and on Sundays in DUMBO – another neighborhood known for its gentrification and prestige in location and appeal as well. However, now the food market will be located in Prospect Park in the Prospect-Lefferts Gardens area on Sundays. The reason I found this intriguing is because of the amount of people this market will bring to Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, likely to immensely accelerate the demand for new stores, shops and renovated apartments for people to move into. I think attention must be drawn to neighborhood in the midst of transformations such as this dramatic one, because in a city like New York, gentrification can plague a neighborhood in the blink of an eye and people forget what it used to be.

This is the very first season the Smorgasburg is located in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens
This is the very first season the Smorgasburg is located in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens
Alex Hargrove, a resident of Prospect-Lefferts Gardens for over 5 years, says that Smorgasburg moving into Prospect Park is going to change the kind of people who frequent the neighborhood, likely propelling gentrification at a much quicker pace than it might otherwise
Alex Hargrove, a resident of Prospect-Lefferts Gardens for over 5 years, says that Smorgasburg moving into Prospect Park is going to change the kind of people who frequent the neighborhood, likely propelling gentrification at a much quicker pace than it might otherwise

DOUGH

The Prospect Park stop on the B or the Q, is the train station nearest the entrance to Prospect Park where Smorgasburg is now located.
The Prospect Park stop on the B or the Q, is the train station nearest the entrance to Prospect Park where Smorgasburg is now located.
"I'm not even sure what he does, if he sells things or what, but he sits there just about every day." - Hargrove
“I’m not even sure what he does, if he sells things or what, but he sits there just about every day.” – Hargrove
"It's like everywhere you turn there are buildings going up and construction around every corner." - Jose (a local bodega owner)
“It’s like everywhere you turn there are buildings going up and construction around every corner.” – Jose (a local bodega owner)

construction

There are little signs of gentrification throughout the neighborhood - the local grammar school has the children bring life and color to the neighborhood.
There are little signs of gentrification throughout the neighborhood – the local grammar school has the children bring life and color to the neighborhood.

kids pots

The children try to dress up the cage-like fences that surround the train station
The children try to dress up the cage-like fences that surround the train station
Along with little signs of gentrification, comes a very strong NYPD presence
Along with little signs of gentrification, comes a very strong NYPD presence

police car and man

There is a new ice skating rink (grey nondescript flat building in the background) in the area in Prospect Park to make the location more family-friendly. In the Spring and Summer, there is a garden on the roof of the building
There is a new ice skating rink (grey nondescript flat building in the background) in the area in Prospect Park to make the location more family-friendly. In the Spring and Summer, there is a garden on the roof of the building

runners

Though gentrification is becoming a very prominent theme in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, there are still signs of the original neighborhood
Though gentrification is becoming a very prominent theme in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, there are still signs of the original neighborhood

3 comments

  1. Great job! Great photos. Your exposures are also spot on. Or you editing, rather. Haha.
    Thanks for showing me this part of NYC.

  3. This was good, I got a good insight into the neighborhood. There might be a little too many wide shots and not enough like closeup detail but overall it was good. You also might want to change the order a bit, there are so many people in the first few, then no people, then some people again. I’m just kind of thinking out loud though. Nice work!

Comments are closed.