Announcing Our BHA Community Service
Award Winners

We are thrilled to announce this year's Community Service award recipients. These wonderful individuals have volunteered their time and energy to help make Brooklyn Heights the community we all cherish.

Fred Bland, a Brooklyn Heights architect and preservationist, was the longest-serving member on the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission until his recent retirement. Fred also served as both a Governor and President of the Brooklyn Heights Association as well as Chair of the BHA's Landmarks Committee along with decades of service to a variety of Brooklyn institutions. Fun Fact: Fred wrote and presented these very Community Service Awards at our annual meeting for about a decade!

Nicole Van Der Tuin and a small group of volunteers organized themselves as the "Pierrepont Fire Volunteers" after the devastating fire at 75 Pierrepont Street this past January. Nicole led a group that identified critical needs of residents immediately following the fire, and partnered with the BHA to collect financial and in-kind donations from the community. Nicole and her team put in many long hours (balancing their own work and family responsibilities) to ensure their neighbors had the support they needed. We are proud to announce that the BHA collected approximately $40K (thanks to your contributions) and with the volunteer group's help, we are in the process of distributing all of these funds. 

Richard Dean joined the Promenade Garden Conservancy volunteers and became a devoted member -- dedicating his Tuesday mornings for many years. He often purchased gardening supplies to make life easier for the NYC Parks horticulturist as well as his fellow gardening volunteers. He is perhaps best remembered for taking responsibility for a neglected triangle of greenspace at Middagh and Columbia Heights — a small patch that came to be known simply as “Richard’s Garden.” Over the course of several years, he transformed that overlooked corner into a vibrant oasis. Sadly Richard passed away in December, but the impact he made on our neighborhood will last for years to come. 
Have you RSVP'd?

We are looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday, March 11 at First Unitarian Church (119 Pierrepont Street). Doors open at 6pm and the meeting will begin promptly at 6:30. Please RSVP using the link below so we have a sense of attendance.  This will help us plan our community reception which will immediately follow our 2026 presentation.
Yes I'll Be There 
 
The BQE, The BHA & The Big Dig

Hear from BHA Executive Director, Lara Birnback and former NYCDOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg during a live taping about the transportation puzzle that New York City can't seem to solve.  The discussion will be led by Ian Coss, host of the GBH News Peabody Award-winning podcast The Big Dig, and Stephen Nessen of WNYC’s On The Way.

This event is sold out, but you can access the live broadcast by registering here.
 
New Trees in Brooklyn Heights
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now. (Chinese Proverb)
 
2026 is shaping up to be a big year for Brooklyn Heights street trees.
 
This spring, all tree beds on the streets of Brooklyn Heights will be inspected block-by-block. Each empty bed will be reviewed to determine if it is viable. Starting this fall, a new tree will be planted in every single viable tree bed.
 
City Council Member Lincoln Restler has made maximizing District 33 street tree capacity a top priority. Over $1.5 million has been allocated to plant over a thousand new street trees in the district, which has been topped up by community donations to the tree fund. Through a partnership with the Parks Department, this ambitious planting effort will begin in Brooklyn Heights this fall.
 
Caring for our street trees is the community’s responsibility. But with the arrival of these new trees, we’ll need to step up our game. Newly planted trees require a little extra TLC during their first year. The Brooklyn Heights Tree Team is here to help. And while we’ll be primarily focused on these new street trees, we will also provide tips to extend the life of our more established trees.
 
Do you have any questions about the trees on your block?
The Brooklyn Heights Tree Team is happy to help. Please reach out anytime at trees@thebha.org.
 
Atlantic Avenue Mural Earns Award

Congratulations to the Atlantic Avenue BID and Thrive Collective, whose joint BQE mural project was selected for The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Best of Brooklyn Real Estate Showcase!  This project was a work of love and talent that made a huge improvement to a much traversed public realm portion of the neighborhood.  If you'd like to celebrate with them and the many other winners, the Showcase will take place on Thursday, April 16th.  Tickets can be purchased here. Friends of Atlantic Avenue get a special deal: use code GUEST30 for 30% off at checkout.

Photo Credit:  AA BID
 
Winter Calendar

Sunday, February 22.  Brooklyn and the Abolitionist Movement.  Walking Tour in Brooklyn Bridge Park. 1-2:30pm.  See details.

Tuesday, February 24. What to Do About the BQE. Live Taping with our ED, Lara Birnback. 7pm.  Register.

Sunday, March 1. Docent Tour at Grace Church. Tours are free and open to the public. Enter at 254 Hicks Street and look for the group gathered in the main sanctuary.

Saturday, March 7.  Voices in the Heights. First Unitarian Church. 7:30. Buy tickets.

Monday, March 9th. Moms + Babies + Coffee.  BHA conference room. 11am.  Register here

Wednesday, March 11.  BHA Annual Meeting. 6:30pm with reception to follow.  First Unitarian Church. RSVP.

Sunday, March 15. Docent Tour at Grace Church. Tours are free and open to the public. Enter at 254 Hicks Street and look for the group gathered in the main sanctuary.

Saturday, March 21. Storytime and Scoops @ CityPoint. 10:30am.  Details coming soon.

Saturday, March 28.  BHA Egg Hunt.  Save the date!

Saturday, April 11.  Voices in the Heights. First Unitarian Church. 7:30. Buy tickets.

Wednesday, April 15  BHA Book Club.  7-8:30pm at Vineapple.  
 
More than Just Ice Cream 

We could eat ice cream all year-round, but did you know that Diem Eatery (79 Atlantic Ave) also serves delicious bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwiches) and espresso drinks?  Check out their full menu and if you are a BHA member, enjoy 10% off of your order.

Simply show you BHA Member Card or this email with your membership status below.
 
Membership status for
 

 

Only with the strength and commitment of its members can the BHA be a strong advocate for the Brooklyn Heights community.
JOIN THE BHA

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Brooklyn Heights Association
55 Pierrepont St, Box 17D
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-858-9193 info@thebha.org

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