Sunset Park

Sunset Park residents share secrets of great neighborhood

May 3, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
One resident said she was impressed by the community spirit of those who painted the fence around the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Eagle photo by Paula Katinas
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What do Sunset Park residents like best about their neighborhood? The leaders of the Sunset Parker Facebook group wanted to find out so they put out a survey, asking local residents to describe why they like living there.

The purpose of the survey was to give residents the opportunity to paint an accurate portrait of the Sunset Park community, according to Sunset Parker group founder Tony Giordano, who defined the neighborhood’s boundaries as starting at 17th Street and running to 65th Street, from the waterfront to Eighth Avenue. 

“If you don’t define yourself, others will define you.”  Giordano said.

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In their answers as to why they like living in Sunset Park, residents cited diversity, the beauty of the housing stock, the new waterfront park, the convenience of local stores and Sunset Park.

Respondents listed an array of restaurants they liked that ranged from the George’s Restaurant, which serves American cuisine to Johnny’s Pizzeria to Dominican, Mexican, Chinese and Ecuadoran eateries.

Sunset Park resident Gladys Toledo said she loves everything about neighborhood. “I love to walk to both of our parks, the new waterfront park on 43rd Street and our big park.  I like to take what I’m currently reading and just sit and read,” she wrote.

Athena Brown gave several reasons as to why she loves Sunset Park. “My amazing neighbors. My convenient commute. The beautiful brownstones. The business owners nearby and the convenience of Fifth Avenue shopping,” she wrote.

Sheila K. Pisciotta wrote that she met her future husband years ago at Melody Lanes bowling alley on 37th Street. “Sunset is close to everything. There is a store on every corner and we’re close to the subway and buses,” she wrote.

She also mentioned her church, the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Fifth Avenue and how the community spirit led church parishioners to paint the fencing around the church.

Veronica Jimenez’s parents bought a home in the neighborhood many years ago. She has enjoyed growing up knowing her neighbors and being able to say a “string” of hellos as she walks down her block. “Unlike some neighborhoods, Sunset is like a small town where folks all know each other,” she wrote.

Residents expressed support for street vendors, many of whom are recent immigrants.

“I like helping them because most of the vendors are immigrants trying to make an honest living and feed their families,” Debra Gonzalez said.

Giordano said some of the answers surprised him.

“I think my surprise was the number of folks that enjoyed merely walking in the neighborhood.  It wasn’t ‘destination’ walking. It was the sheer pleasure of walking in the community. It was nice to hear that, but it surprised me,” he told the Brooklyn Eagle via email.

Giordano, who has lived in Sunset Park for decades, said that when he and his wife Renee were first married, he introduced her to the neighborhood by taking her on long walks.

Renee Giordano is the executive director of the Sunset Park Business Improvement District.

“When Renee and I got married 40 years ago, one of the first things I introduced her to in her new neighborhood was Saturday morning walks along Fifth; running into friends, catching up on neighborhood news and snacking along the way. You can no longer buy a knish on 49th Street, but you certainly can get a variety of tacos or dim sum or a slice of pizza at Johnny’s,” he said.  

The survey wasn’t all sweetness and light. Respondents were asked what they didn’t like about Sunset Park.

The answer, according to Giordano, was universal: parking.

The vast majority of residents complained about having to repeatedly circle their block in a futile attempt to find a parking space. Many blamed a specific problem associated with their block, such as a subway station or a specific business, rather than it being a citywide problem.

Another major concern: Residents said they are worried they will have to move out of Sunset Park if rents continue to rise.

 

To read the survey results, visit facebook.com/search/top/?q=sunset%20parker%20village%20council.

 


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