Why the Brooklyn Heights Association?

The Heights is becoming more diversified and refreshed with more and more new folks moving in. If you've ever come out of the subway and thought, "I can't believe this is part of New York City," then you understand the unique appeal of New York City's oldest suburb.

Of Trucks and Trees
But it takes work to keep our neighborhood appealing. When large tour buses started roaring through, the BHA worked to stop them from driving down our narrow streets by developing special bus parking spots on Cadman Plaza - and now works to protect those spots from cars. When a truck knocks down trees, we are on it. But that's because of our all-volunteer Tree Committee. If you're interested in helping count and take care of the trees, let us know.

Supporting P.S. 8 and More
The proportion of Heights kids in pre-school, nursery or kindergarten is about the same as it is in the rest of the city. But the proportion who are in elementary or high schools is less than half what it is citywide. This suggests that when their kids reach grade school age, families start moving elsewhere, because they can't afford or can't get into private schools and are reluctant to send their children to a neighborhood public school. That's why the BHA is so determined to keep P.S. 8 a place you'll want to send your kids.

When a movie company films a movie in Brooklyn Heights it's exciting but disruptive, and often the company will make a donation to the Brooklyn Heights Association. We don't keep that money – we donate it so it can be put to work improving the neighborhood. In recent years we've supported P.S. 8, but our donations have also been used to support the Brooklyn Greenway, the Brooklyn Heights Playground Committee, sidewalk tree plantings, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and the Promenade Gardens.

The Annual House Tour
You may know us because of the House Tour, our annual fundraising event that brings people from around the world to peek into some of the city's most beautiful houses. Did you know that it's an entirely volunteer-run event? And that it draws tourists from around the corner and around the world? And that it includes a tea with cookies home-made by neighborhood residents and the opportunity to tour Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims? Volunteering to help, or to bake cookies for the tea, is a great way to get to know the neighborhood.

So Join Us Now
Our job is to make sure these newcomers don't just live in the neighborhood, but become a real part of the community. Joining the BHA, and volunteering to help out at one of our events, are a great way to start. We keep membership prices low, just $25 for an individual and $40 for a household. We want to hear from you!