Park Slope in the LaGuardia Flight Path

The Brooklyn Paper reports that the people in Park Slope complaining that there seem to be a lot of low-flying planes roaring over their heads aren't crazy. A change in flight paths to increase efficiency has led to a 52% increase in planes flying over Park Slope and Prospect Park.

I think this puts to rest the idea that the marching bands and Big Apple Circus are somehow "dumped" on our side of the park to protect the gentle ears of Park Slopers from the noise.

Comments

[carrie]

I'm curious what the Park Slope "noise activists" in the article think should happen instead: have the planes fly over poor neighborhoods ? Maybe they should all quit using airplanes in protest.

[Jeanne]

That's the shocking and hilarious thing to me - yes they really do think the planes should fly over poor neighborhoods. That's exactly their goal. Who would do that, one, and then actually admit that about themselves? I have to think this group is just a small and weird but noisy one.

[Kelly]

Thing is, the noise coming over the park affects the "poor" neighborhoods as well. On the Flatbush side of the park where I live (which I assume is a "poor" neighborhood, compared to the Park Slope side which you're referencing) I've noticed an influx of noise and air pollution as well.

Every time a plane flies overhead, I lose the digital reception on my TV (I don't pay for cable and still use an antenna). It's sometimes so close, things on the walls rattle and I have to raise my voice to be heard. There have even been times when the planes sound close enough I start to wonder if they're landing on the roof. It doesn't ruin my quality of life but it's still a nuisance. I've filed complaints with the FCC and 311 but to no avail.

I'm glad someone finally performed this study and is bringing this noise issue to someone's attention.

Instead of assuming what these people want, and then berating them for it, maybe someone should open a dialogue. Maybe we should recognize that it's not a "rich" or "poor" issue but a quality of life issue and stop polarizing each other over such labels. Do you know that they truly want planes to fly over poor neighborhoods? Did you ask what their solution would be or hear someone say they want the planes re-directed over a certain, possibly poorer, neighborhood?

[donnie jeffcoat]

Oh no, Park Slope residents are being reminded they live in the modern city!!!!! Whatever will their doughy children do?

[SBW]

It is absurd and ignorant to assume that all Park Slope residents concerned about airplane noise are a) wealthy, privileged members of some crusty upper class and b) thoughtless enough to want "poorer" neighborhoods to suffer.
I just moved here from a noisy street in the East Village and have very little income. I'm living off my savings so that my 4 year old can grow up in a quieter, saner, more residential neighborhood. The first thing I noticed on night #1 was the constant noise assault from planes flying directly overhead. I assumed there would be street noise - we still live in the city after all. What I wasn't counting on was hearing a jet roar above my head every minute or so. This is a quality of life issue, not a class issue, people.