Brooklyn Bridge Parents' Back to School Party was a perfect kick-off to the Montague Open Streets season.  Last Sunday the streets were filled with an electric school bus, basketball drills, the Labubus (human-size version of this popular collective plush toy) a Pokemon trading station and many more fun activities.  But what we loved seeing most on the street were all of the smiles on the faces of the children in our community. Thank you to Brooklyn Bridge Parents for bring such joy to the street (and for the sweet photo of the Pokemon trading above).

Next Sunday, get ready for two very creative but very different events. FAD Market is back, with over 60 talented makers, designers, and small businesses displaying everything from handmade jewelry to artisanal treats. The market will be running on Montague Street from Henry to Clinton Street from noon to 5pm.

And the NYC Bakery Run, will be wrapping up its carb-filled half-marathon at L'Appartement 4F.  Join Gautier and Ashley Coiffard for some delicious sweets and congratulate the 100 lucky runners on their impressive achievement. The first wave of runners will be crossing the croissant line at approximately 12:30pm.

Don't forget - Montague Street will be closed from Clinton Street to Hicks Street from 10am-6pm on Sunday.  Please be sure to move your car so that all can enjoy the day. Thank you!

A week-long celebration of all things literary began this past Sunday and culminates with the BKBF Children's Day filled with workshops, performances, art projects and more on Saturday, September 20th from 10am-4pm at Brooklyn Borough Hall.  On Sunday, September 21st, schmooze with award-winning, bestselling and up-and-coming authors at the Festival Day and Literary Marketplace.  This event will run from 10am-6pm at Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza, Columbus Park and nearby venues.  We are so lucky to have this fabulous event so close to home!  See all the details.

Shade, birdsong, cleaner air and a splash of green—our street trees give us a lot. Now there’s a new group in town working to make sure we return the favor: the BHA Tree Team. They’re here to teach, encourage, and show us all how a little extra care can go a long way for the trees that line our streets.

A group of dedicated volunteers created the Tree Team over the summer and has been learning all they can about tree care in New York City. Now, they are eager to share their knowledge with our community! Starting this week, they’ll provide tips and resources to help us all take better care of our street trees. Reach out to the Tree Team with questions anytime at trees@thebha.org.

You can also meet them at Montague Open Streets on Sunday, September 21st—just look for the BHA table and bring your tree-related questions.

Caring for Our Street Trees is Easy!

Here is what YOU can do:

1. Water every week. From May to October mature trees need 8 to 10 gallons of water every week. That’s the equivalent of 1 or 2 large buckets. Younger trees that were planted in the last couple of years need 15 to 20 gallons of water a week. That’s 4 or 5 water buckets each week. In the heat of July and August, it’s almost impossible to over-water a street tree!

2. Clean the tree bed frequently. Remove any litter or weeds.

3. Improve the soil and mulch your tree bed. Even mature trees benefit from more nutrient-rich soil. To improve soil quality, loosen the soil gently to ½ to 1 inch deep once a year. Then mix in a thin layer of compost (no more than ½ inch). Mulch should also be replenished every spring. Add a layer of it 2 to 3 inches deep, being careful to keep mulch at least 6 inches from the tree trunk.

Doesn’t the City or Parks Department look after the street trees? This may be surprising, but no, they don’t. The Parks Department provides and plants young trees, removes dead or severely damaged trees and branches, and performs the necessary maintenance pruning every eight or nine years, but they don’t have the resources to provide the continuing care our street trees desperately need.  That's why we need our community to pitch in.

The BHA and the trees thank you!

Join the BHA, CM Restler's Office and Big ReUse for a couple hours of tree bed maintenance to improve the tree canopy in Brooklyn Heights. We will be cleaning any refuse out of tree beds, weeding, cultivating soil to break up compaction, adding mulch, and planting daffodil bulbs. This event is great for people of all ages. Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the weather and close toed shoes.

Thursday, September 18:  Support The Alex House Project at a Professional Women's Clothing Drive.  Drop off donations 11am-2pm and 5-7pm, 9 Bond Street 4th Floor.  RSVP.

Thursday, September 18: District 33 Luncheon to Celebrate Neighborhood Seniors.  11:15-2:30.  Brooklyn Bridge Park.  

Sunday, September 21: Vintage Bus Festival.  Emily Roebling Plaza. 10am-3:30pm. Register.

Sunday, September 21:  FAD Market + NYC Bakery Run finale + meet the BHA Tree Team and get all your tree-related questions answered. 12pm-5pm. Montague Open Streets. 

Sunday, September 21: Brooklyn Book Festival Day. Brooklyn Borough Hall, 10am-6pm. Learn more about the week-long event.

Wednesday, September 24: Rat Academy Training (online), 1:30-3:30.  Register here.

Thursday, September 25: Partnership for Parks - Getting Involved with Tree Care Webinar.  6-7:30pm.  Register

Sunday, September 28: Bakesale to support the BHA's Promenade Garden Conservancy.  10am-3pm (or while supplies last).  Montague Street at the entrance to the Promenade.

Sunday, September 28:  Pickleball Tournament and Open Play, Montague Open Streets, 12pm-3pm.  Register. 

Monday, September 29:  Java with Jo Anne. 9:30-11am. Squarrel Cafe.  Register

Tuesday, September 30:  Arab-American Walking Tour along Atlantic Avenue. 4-6pm. RSVP.

Tuesday, September 30:  Hand-On CPR class with FDNY EMS.  Brooklyn Heights Library, 5-6pm. Recommended for ages 12 and up.  RSVP.

Saturday, October 4:  City of Forest Day.  Help day care of our local street trees.  10am-12pm. Meet at 27 Willow Place. RSVP.

Sunday, October 5:  Wellbeing Day, Montague Open Streets. Check out the class schedule.

Sunday, October 5:  50th Anniversary Atlantic Antic street fair. Come visit us at the BHA table! 

Thursday, October 9:  Free Flu Shots, sponsored by Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon and State Senator Andrew Gounardes.  2-7pm.  NYU Langone, 70 Atlantic Avenue.  Make your appointment today

Sunday, October 12:  Montague Open Streets - enjoy the space!

Saturday, October 18:  Arab-American Walking Tour along Atlantic Avenue. 11am-1pm. RSVP.

Sunday, October 19:  Blood Drive, Compost Giveaway + more, Montague Open Streets.

Saturday, October 25:  Greenway Stomp, a free, fall festival. 11-3 pm at the Naval Cemetery Landscape.

Sunday, October 26:  BHA Halloween Parade & Dog Costume Contest hosted by Montague Diner at the final Open Streets of the fall season.