Park Slope Spots Compete To Be Named Greenest Block In Brooklyn

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — For the 25th year in a row, a few blocks, storefronts and even some lone window boxes will get the honor of being named the greenest in the entire borough.

This year, about a dozen Park Slope blocks have been entered into the running for the contest, which is run by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The neighborhood blocks officially joined a list of more than 100 entries when nominations closed last weekend.

The botanic gardens will announce its winners in August.

The contest gives out prizes to several green-themed categories, including best overall residential block, overall commercial block, window box, street tree beds, community gardens streetscape and greenest storefront. They also will give one block or community garden a special National Grid Leadership in Sustainable Practices award, which recognizes ecological practices such as rainwater capture, community composting or gardening for pollinators and wildlife.

Aside from bragging rights, each spot that wins will get a cash prize ranging from $100 to $200 for most categories and a $300 check for the top residential and commercial block winner.

Contest participants who attend the fall recognition ceremony, held in August at the winning residential bloc, will also receive a gift bag of fall bulbs and a certificate of recognition for their participation.

Here are the Park Slope blocks that have made the cut:

• 12th Street between Eighth Avenue and Prospect Park West
• 14th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues
• 13th Street between Sixth and Fifth avenues
• 8th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenue
• 10th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues
• 10th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues
• 9th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues
• 7th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues
• 3rd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues
• Sterling Place between Seventh and Flatbush avenues
• 21 Park Pl., between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenue

If one of these nominees wins it wouldn't be the first time a Park Slope spot placed in the contest.

Sterling Place between Flatbush and Seventh avenues tied for third place back in 2014 for the best residential block. 8th Street also got honorable mention that year.

Back in 2012, Barbara and David Arky's window box garden in front of their 10th Street home, between Sixth and Seventh avenues, tied for first place in the "Best Window Box" category. Sterling Place and 8th Street also both placed that year.

Check out the full map of nominees here.