Eastern Parkway between Bedford and Franklin avenues has been recognized as the Greenest Block in Brooklyn for 2025, marking a significant shift in a contest usually dominated by single-family homes. The local group, Crown Heights Keepers, has transformed sidewalks into vibrant gardens filled with trees, flowers, and herbs. A notable feature includes community herb gardens for public harvesting. The area now serves as a welcoming space for gatherings, with shaded tables where residents connect over coffee and conversation, enhancing community spirit and environmental awareness.
"This is the very first time that a block composed entirely of apartment buildings with multiple units has won the contest," said Adrian Benepe, president of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. "In the past 29 years, [it] has been smaller residential blocks, one- to four-family homes. So this is a groundbreaking time."
"This kind of energy around really greening the block, taking care of each other, taking care of the environment, it's really blossomed," said Kara Lesondak, one of the Keepers.
"We settled on this idea of a real big variety of herbs, culinary herbs... And we have people coming from other blocks to harvest," said Debra Sweet, a fellow gardener.
"Trying to create a welcoming space for all, the tables and chairs for everybody to come have drinks in the morning. Everyone has their coffee, read the paper, read a book outside. That's what we were trying to do along with the gardening," said Ana DeLeon, another member of the Keepers.
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