Beautifying Bedford-Stuyvesant

This past Saturday marked the first annual "Flower Bed-Stuy Day," sponsored by the Bridge Street Development Corporation and the Bedford-Stuyvesant Youth, Education and Safety Task Force.

The rain on Saturday didn’t stop the show, as more than fifty block and tenant associations turned out to sweep, haul away dead bushes, and plant thousands of donated plants and flowers. 

Volunteers in bright-orange tee shirts, along with children, young families and seniors pitched in to beautify their blocks. Some groups served breakfast, while others provided arts and crafts projects for the children.

The event kicked off on Macon Street at 10:00 am, with a press conference hosted by the Macon Street (Lewis and Stuyvesant) Block Association. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz attended the kick-off, along with Council Member Al Vann and District Leader Robert Cornegy.

Also in attendance were Bridge Street Development Corporation CEO, Rhonda A. Lewis; Brenda Fryson and Oma Holloway, co-chairs of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Youth, Education and Safety Task Force; Judges Robin Shears and Geraldine Pickett; Henry Butler, chair of Community Board 3, CB3 Board Member Evelyn Collier; 81st Precinct Council President Catherine Airline; Block Association Presidents Derek Cradle, Jeffery Scales, Altovise Fleary, and many others

“FlowerBed Stuy was inspirational for the children and the development… some of them never planted flowers before,” said Surretta Barnes, president of the Willard T. Price Tenant Association “Everyone worked hard, even the little ones. Our young folks really enjoyed it.”