NYC is known for its skyscrapers and building-lined blocks, but if you know where to look it’s also full of gorgeous, lush greenery–a stroll through all the city’s iconic parks proves it!
Though if you’re looking to stroll past luscious greenery look no further than Lincoln Place between New York Avenue and Nostrand Avenue–otherwise known as “The Greenest Block in Brooklyn.”
This lush Crown Heights road gets the title from Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s annual Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest.
The contest, otherwise known as Brooklyn’s friendliest competition, has been running for nearly 30 years and gathers together Brooklyn residents, local officials, neighbors, and gardening enthusiasts.
Lincoln Place was announced the winner on Tuesday, August 6th–knocking out Flatbush’s East 25th Street who took the esteemed title last year for the fifth time–with many gathering together to celebrate. Lincoln Place also took home first-place wins in 2022 and 2019.
“We are incredibly proud of our block (P.L.A.N.T) for winning Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest for the third time. Even if we hadn’t won First Place, we still would’ve won because of the connections we built with our neighbors and the community around us throughout the process,” said Perri Edwards and Althea Joseph, P.L.A.N.T. leadership.
Adrian Benepe, president and CEO of Brooklyn Botanic Garden, stated:
The Greenest Block in Brooklyn is a nearly 30-year tradition that continues to bring neighbors together, encourage sustainable gardening, and educate new generations of plant lovers throughout this great borough. We are delighted to see blocks from so many corners of Brooklyn make a commitment to beautifying our borough and the city at large. It’s an honorable pursuit, and it a joy to see all the hard work come to fruition.
Through the contest residents of the block truly put their green thumb to the test.
Participants are given the chance to attend Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s free workshop, How to Green Your Block, and host a free interactive, walk-and-talk block visit, led by BBG staff, to learn about their block’s greening opportunities.
Beyond bragging rights, winners receive cash prizes and winner-recognition certificates that can be displayed on the block. All participants also receive a fall bulb gift and participation certificate.
But the competition is also a huge help to the environment as the annual contest promotes city greening and community building.
This year’s entrants represented more than 100 blocks, covering a wide swath of Brooklyn, from Williamsburg to Fort Hamilton and DUMBO to Canarsie with many other neighborhoods in between including Flatbush, Prospect Heights, BedStuy, Crown Heights, New Lots, and Park Slope, among others.
The runner ups in the contest include:
- 2nd place – Eastern Parkway between Bedford & Franklin Avenues, Crown Heights
- 3rd place – Ridge Boulevard between 71st Street & Ovington Avenue, Bay Ridge
Check out the full list of winners here.