PLG Group Asks DOT to Fix Ocean & Parkside Intersection

Over a year ago, some fellow travelers and I put together a proposal to urge city officials to make the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Parkside Avenue safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Perhaps you read about that here or here. At any rate, the project got put on hold due to the group members' having personal lives (two couples had babies) but we've recently resumed. We call ourselves PLG Public Works and aim to make PLG streets better, quieter, and safer for all users. In some circles, this is known as building "livable streets."

Our inaugural act is a letter to the Department of Transportation, cc'd to local elects and Community Board 9. I've copied the letter below, which was mailed out today. To read the full proposal, download the PDF here.

Future plans call for improving Parkside Avenue and weighing in on the DOT's stated plans to improve Flatbush Avenue south of Empire.

If you'd like to get involved, join our Googlegroup to find out about upcoming meetings. If you're part of a local organization or block association and would be willing to endorse our proposal, please email me at brooklynite282 at gmail.com. Thank you, thank you.

* * * * * * * *

Joseph Palmieri
New York City Department of Transportation
16 Court Street
Brooklyn, New York 11241

Dear Mr. Palmieri,

As residents of Flatbush and Prospect Lefferts Gardens, we are writing to urge the Department of Transportation to make the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Parkside Avenue in Brooklyn safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

This intersection, with the Parkside subway station on one corner and the Pergola entrance to Prospect Park on another, is a major walkway and commercial strip. Yet crossing the street here is scary and difficult for pedestrians and cyclists. According to Crashstat.org, the intersection is one of the most dangerous for bicyclists in Brooklyn.

We understand that the DOT has plans to eventually eliminate the car entrance to the Park as part of the future Lakeside development. That should help a bit, but the crosswalks on Ocean and Parkside carry far more foot traffic and need to be improved as well. Pedestrians crossing the streets here risk getting hit by cars turning into the crosswalk to beat the light and other traffic.

The DOT has been improving the other intersections at Prospect Park: Grand Army Plaza, Park Circle, and the Third Avenue entrance — now it’s our turn! Some of us have been waiting a decade to see this intersection improved. The time to do so is now.

Please notify our group of the earliest possible time to discuss this with a member of your staff.
 
Sincerely,


Carrie McLaren
PLG Public Works

With endorsements from:
Sustainable Flatbush
Hawthorne Street Block Association
Winthrop Street Block Association
Transportation Alternatives

Comments

[Bob Marvin]

I seldom cross this intersection on foot since I live closer to the Lincoln Road park entrance. However, I do drive through it frequently and IMO it's not just difficult for pedestrians and cyclists, but for motorists as well. Continuing to drive straight across Ocean on Parkside invites being hit by cars making a left turn from Parkside eastbound onto Ocean northbound. Improving this intersection would be a big plus for everyone in the neighborhood-- pedestrians, cyclists, AND drivers.

[Aaron]

Nice work. Keep pushing on this and building support. You'll make this happen.