A Cornfield Grows in Brooklyn

Apparently the residents of Boerum Hill got themselves some fancy sidewalk extensions to make the place more pedestrian-friendly (jealous, UWS?)—but then the added sidewalk added "a huge swatch of ugly gray to the neighborhood." Will people ever be happy? Anyway, to combat this problem the Boerum Hill Blog reports that artist Christina Kelly "has submitted plans to the city to plant native northeastern varieties of corn throughout Boerum Hill, where Native Americans used to grow corn. The first spot she has submitted is for the northwest corner of Smith and she expects the planters to be raised off the pavement in 5′ x 5′ planters." If approved the corn will be sprouting by next May; but won't this make the sidewalks less pedestrian-friendly again?

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on October 8, 2009 4:50 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

Anything in Boerum Hill that isn't pot is an invasive species.

butterbutter

Another artist that can't come up with an original idea.

The original idea here.

http://notacornfield.com/

Spirit of 76

Build it and they will come.

JMH

"[W]on't this make the sidewalks less pedestrian-friendly again?"

I'm not sure whether this question was facetious or not, but assuming it wasn't: The issue with the sidewalks at this intersection, before the recent changes, wasn't that they were too narrow and there wasn't enough room for pedestrians. The issue was that the width of the street made it easy for drivers to zoom through the intersection along Bergen Street (which there's basically no reason to do, since you pretty much always miss the light once you get up to Court Street anyway), making it less safe for pedestrians to cross and cyclists to use the bike lanes along Bergen and Smith.

(My personal view is that the neckdown actually makes Bergen Street a little bit too narrow right at the intersection, making cyclists who are passing through the narrowed area at the same time as a car feel a bit squeezed, but that's besides the point.)

Cobalt

Want to keep the sidewalks clutter free but still cover- up that pesky soul-draining gray?

Then give these guys a call;

http://www.youtube.com/user/lesEnsemble

Jen Chung

Question: How much do rats like corn?

upperwestsider

Rats, pigeons, and squirrels all love corn!

jibbly

Correction, how much do RACCOONS like corn?

ProcedureTurn

I'm not a raccoon, but I LOVE CORN!!!! YEY!!!

Plant some by my house. I'll water it and butter and salt it when its fully grown.. YUMM!!!