ShareLong Island City is a vibrant neighborhood known for restaurants, shops, galleries, event venues and million-dollar views of Manhattan across the East River.
The location at 46th and 5th Street is footsteps from the waterfront featuring Gantry Plaza State Park, NYC Ferry dock and the famous neon-lit historic Pepsi Cola sign. It was the perfect place to turn a trio of parking spaces into a Street Seat.
A Street Seat, sometimes known as a parklet, turns parking spaces into people places by introducing seating, greenery and shade over asphalt. The Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR) chose the location to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of individuals who patronize local businesses—providing a safe and inviting place to rest, meet up, eat and enjoy the community.
“This was done during COVID, to provide more outdoor space for distancing in a bustling Queens community,” said Marlo Paventi, the senior director of public policy & gov¬ernment affairs for LIBOR. “It is boxed in and protected from cars by larger planter boxes that have bench seating built into them. There also are circular benches built in the middle and connected together.”
A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® Placemaking Grant funded the project that immediately became part of the growing neighborhood’s fabric.
“We hired a consultant, got permits, worked with New York City Parks and hired a firm to build it,” Paventi said. “Several of our REALTORS® volunteered in July to repaint, plant flowers and spruce up the 2021 project.”
The space is shaded by a large sunshade sail provided by Rockaway Brewing Company. It is fixed to the Rockaway building and spans over the sidewalk and the Street Seat.
The colorful theme of the Street Seat matches a mural on the face of the adjacent Rockaway Brewing Company. Rockaway graciously agreed to cover the liability of the space and maintain it.
“Community is at the heart of real estate, which is why REALTORS® volunteer at twice the rate of the general population,” said LIBOR President Kevin Leatherman, in a statement released during this year’s spruce up of the Long Island City Street Seat. “We are incredibly proud of our members who go above and beyond helping consumers buy and sell homes. At LIBOR, we are committed to creating better, more vibrant communities, and volunteerism is central to that mission. Our REALTORS® are dedicated to making a lasting impact, ensuring that our neighborhoods are wonderful places to live, work and thrive for generations.”
LIBOR also used an NAR Placemaking Grant to create the Wyandanch Senior Center Community Garden in the town of Babylon in Suffolk County on Long Island.
The garden provides fresh fruits and vegetables to a local soup kitchen and the Wyandanch Senior Nutrition Center.
“The Wyandanch Senior Center Community Garden not only provides access to fresh produce but also fosters a sense of community and well-being among our residents. The proximity of the garden to the senior center is invaluable, as it allows our seniors to engage in meaningful activities that promote physical health and social interaction,” said Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer and Deputy Supervisor and Councilman Antonio Martinez, in a joint statement. “Furthermore, the provision of free produce in a lower-income community like Wyandanch is a testament to our commitment to addressing food insecurity and promoting healthy eating habits. By offering fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, we are not only nourishing bodies but also empowering individuals to make nutritious choices for themselves and their families.”
The town horticulturist oversees the garden, which produces various fruits and vegetables depending on the season. The garden was created on less than an acre of town-owned land by the senior center parking lot. It features raised beds to allow gardening access by people with limited mobility.
“Engaging in gardening activities has been proven to have positive effects on mental health, reducing stress and anxiety while promoting a sense of accomplishment and purpose. The therapeutic aspects of working in a community gar¬den cannot be understated, as it provides a peaceful and nurturing environment for individuals to connect with nature and each other,” continued Schaffer and Martinez. “The Wyandanch Senior Center Community Garden is a shining example of how a simple initiative can have far-reaching benefits for our community. Together, let us continue to cultivate a healthier and happier community for all.”
Paventi said the garden was yet another opportunity to create a safe, productive space during the pandemic. She noted that LIBOR was happy that the town of Babylon provided an amenity that will pay dividends perpetually.
When the garden opened a few years ago, LIBOR thanked Shaffer, Suffolk County Legislator Jason Richberg, Town Councilman DuWayne Gregory and Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean Pierre for their support of the project.
The LIBOR community amenity initiatives are wonder¬ful examples of cross-generational ideas and projects that will provide connections within the neighborhoods for generations to come.
