Four and five year olds from the 'Grapes and Berries' class at the Trilok Center for Arts and Education were presented with a laser-cut steel proof of their design earlier today. Proofs are made before a design can be manufactured into a tree guard. After that, they can be displayed and enjoyed as artwork.

The wee ones' original tree panel design was selected in the second round of tree guard installations on Myrtle Avenue. Awwwww, start 'em young, folks!

The student’s designs were made into a tree bench and installed on Myrtle Avenue and Waverly.

Check us out on Instagram--follow us (!) for other great pics like this one: http://instagram.com/p/ZiX4RrmqRH/#

Congratulations Trilok 'Grapes and Berries' class!

Myrtle’s tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a ‘canvas’ that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnership’s goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. Phase II was funded by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID, NYS DEC Urban and Community Forestry, and NYS Main Street.

Trilok Center for Arts & Education is located at 143 Waverly Avenue, just north of Myrtle Avenue. They can be reached at 718.797.1700 or trilokfusion.com.

News12 visited Park Avenue yesterday to report on our efforts to improve pedestrian safety. Reporter Nicole Ryan spoke with MARP’s Daniel Scorse, as well as members of the public. The 2-minute piece can be viewed from this page. Simply click on the “City working to improve Park Ave.” video link. If it’s not visible, click on the right arrow.

The Park Avenue Safety Plan was published in the summer of 2012, after a multi-year community-led effort. Stay tuned for more information.

Yesterday and today, the “7s” and “8s” (7 and 8 year olds) from Greene Hill School planted ornamental annuals in tree pits along Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID provided nearly 1000 seedlings and the tools needed to plant them. Students planted begonias and red salvias in 12 tree pits from Adelphi to Waverly.

Spring planting continues later this week. Students from Trilok and PS20 are scheduled to plant annuals in other tree pits along Myrtle. In mid-May, the BID will install perennial plants in Myrtle tree pits that don’t already have them.

All ornamental plantings are protected by Myrtle’s award-winning tree guards, which were supported by funding from NYS Main Street and NYS DEC.

Come out and get information and ask questions on the Citi Bike Share Program.

When: Meeting is Wednesday, April 24th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Where: Benjamin Banneker Academy, 71-77 Clinton Avenue.

Please call Alfred Chiodo at Council Member Tish James office for more information.

DOT approved our request to install “daylighting” regulations at seven locations on Park Avenue!

Parked cars near the approach of an intersection can obstruct the visibility of drivers and pedestrians crossing that intersection. Daylighting is a safety measure where parking is restricted within 20-30 feet of the approach to an intersection, allowing drivers and pedestrians a better field of vision. Daylighting can improve safety for both pedestrians and drivers alike.

Following are the locations where DOT will install “no standing” regulations within the next 90 days: Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to North Oxford Street; Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Waverly Avenue; Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to Waverly Avenue; Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Ryerson Street; Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to Grand Avenue; Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Grand Avenue; Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Steuben Street.

The Park Avenue Safety Plan was published in the summer of 2012, after a multi-year community-led effort. Stay tuned for more updates...

Senator Velmanette Montgomery and Council Member Tish James have coordinated an informational session to discuss the two separate, upcoming contruction/redevelopment projects for Myrtle Avenue.

Associated Supermarket owners will be present to discuss the upcoming renovations and plans.

NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) will be on hand to discuss the upcoming Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza.

The information session will take place on Monday, April 15th at 7pm, Willoughby Walk (185 Hall Street/Basement Community Room).

This morning, Susan S McKinney Secondary School of the Arts gave awards to dozens of students for various academic achievements, such as best grades and most improved. Three students received special recognition for their original tree guard panel designs that were selected in the second round of tree guard installations on Myrtle Avenue.

Kayla Lewis, Emily Vilorio, and Lanique Green (left to right in photo), were each called to the front of the auditorium, accompanied by a round of cheers from their classmates. MARP presented each artist with a laser-cut steel proof of their design. Proofs are made before a design can be manufactured into a tree guard. After that, they can be displayed and enjoyed as artwork.

Each of the student’s designs were made into a tree guard and tree bench and installed on Myrtle Avenue. Following are the locations: Kayla Lewis guard is east of N. Portland; bench is at Waverly; Emily Vilorio guard is at 471 Myrtle between Washington and Hall; bench is at N. Portland; Lanique Green guard is at 414 Myrtle between Vanderbilt and Clinton, bench is east of N. Portland.

Congratulations to these three artists and all the other students who received awards today!

Myrtle’s tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a ‘canvas’ that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnership’s goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. Phase II was funded by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID, NYS DEC Urban and Community Forestry, and NYS Main Street.

Today, we take our first look at one of the student-designed panels, “Squiggly,” by Vera Arno from Greene Hill School.

Says Vera: “When I was first trying to create a design, I sat down with my purple marker and paper and the idea just came to me and I started making some squiggly lines. I made it because it was simple and it was something that I thought of at the moment. I like it that it's simple and I enjoyed creating it. I really didn't think I would win, I was just doing it because it was fun. I'm glad that I get to share my art with the neighborhood so that everyone can see it and enjoy it. I think it's cool that anyone who comes to the neighborhood and passes by will get to see something that I made! “

Locations for “Squiggly”: Bench is near the new Pharmacy at 355 Myrtle @ Adelphi; Guard is near DC Optics at 390 Myrtle between Clermont and Vanderbilt.

Myrtle’s tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a ‘canvas’ that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnership’s goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art.

Stay tuned for more spotlights…

Please take a few minutes to fill out this online survey. It will help us plan events in Myrtle Avenue’s future plaza, between Grand and Emerson.

The Myrtle Avenue plaza will create 25,000 square feet of new pedestrian space by reconfiguring two blocks of the four-block service road. Enhancements include: improved crossings, new bus stops, dozens of new trees, large planters with ornamentals, game tables, a water fountain, a permanent art installation, moveable tables and chairs, and more. The plaza will also provide space for community programming. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer and will last over a year.

For more information about the plaza design, see this blog post .

NYU graduate students completing their Capstone project are helping us plan for programming.

Thank you for your time.

This is the sixth in a series of posts highlighting specific tree guard designs on Myrtle Avenue.

Since 2006, artist Deanna Lee has been making motifs of undulating lines that evoke organic forms, natural patterns like waves and wind currents, geological strata, and topographical maps. Her “Groundswell” tree guard panel design follows this motif. Says Lee: “I think the physical location of the panel, being close to the ground, reminds us of essential relationships in nature: Water and nutrients in soil feed the trees, and the trees feed us oxygen. ‘Groundswell’ conveys the energy coursing within all forms of life, our connections to nature, and a rise in protecting the presence of nature in our communities.”

Locations for “Groundswell”: Bench is in the southbound B69 bus stop, on Vanderbilt just south of Myrtle; Guard near Hardee Chinese Restaurant, 351 Myrtle between Carlton and Adelphi.

Myrtle’s tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a ‘canvas’ that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnership’s goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art.

Stay tuned for more spotlights…