Eastern Parkway Coalition records
Call Number
Dates
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The collection is composed of the records of the Eastern Parkway Coalition, dating from 1952 to 2007 (bulk dates, 1970-2007). These records are primarily composed of Constance Lesold's subject files. The subject files document many issues which affected the Crown Heights and Prospect Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn. These issues include community gardens, housing/tenant rights, mass transit, summer youth programs, environmentalism, mental health, public parks, and urban renewal. In addition to subject files, the records include a series of plans and maps for the reconstruction of Eastern Parkway and other streets in the area from the 1970s and 1980s.
Historical note
The Eastern Parkway Coalition (EPC) is a community organization based in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. Established in the 1970s, the organization ran summer youth programs, many of which focused on community improvement and gardening. The group established a community garden atop the Franklin Avenue Shuttle subway station at the Botanic Garden/Eastern Parkway/Union Street. In 1989, New York City Transit Police demolished the community garden with the intention of clearing the land for a parking lot. The garden was later reestablished due to community outrage and is now known as the Union Street Garden and Community Development.
Biographical note
Constance "Connie" Lesold was born in North Carolina in 1938. She first visited the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights in 1966 and had an apartment with her husband, Helmuth Lesold, by 1967. The couple had one son, Benjamin, who was born in 1970. She is a social worker, who was president of the Parkway Independent Democrats and an official of Community Board Eight. Along with her husband, several Brooklyn community boards, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and a public coalition, she opposed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's move to end service on the Franklin Avenue Shuttle in the mid-1990s. She volunteered with the Brooklyn Mental Hygiene Court Monitors Project and became a member of Disabled in Action. In 2004, she joined a group occupying a firehouse that shut down service in Williamsburg. Lesold joined lawmakers and citizens at the Capitol in Albany to protest rent control regulations in 2015 and she remains an active participant in MTA Board hearings.
Arrangement
The records are organized into two series:
Series 1: Subject files, 1952-2007
Series 2: Plans and maps, 1973-1988
Scope and Contents note
The collection is composed of Constance Lesold's records of the Eastern Parkway Coalition, dating from 1952 to 2007 (bulk dates, 1970-2007). These records are primarily composed of subject files, which document issues that affected the Crown Heights and Prospect Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn. These issues include include community gardens, housing/tenant rights, mass transit, summer youth programs, drug use, environmentalism, mental health, public parks, and urban renewal. In addition to subject files, the records include a series of plans and maps for the reconstruction of Eastern Parkway and other streets in the area.
Subjects
Organizations
Genres
People
Topics
Donors
Conditions Governing Access note
Open to users without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Conditions Governing Use
While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Eastern Parkway Coalition records, 2007.016, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Constance Lesold, 2007.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Most of the materials in Series 2: Plans and maps are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact cbhreference@bklynlibrary.org for more information about access.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Folder titles in brackets were supplied by the archivist. Preservation photocopies were made of all of the newspaper clippings.
Revisions to this Guide
Repository
Series 1: Subject files, 1952-2007, inclusive; 1970-2007, bulk
Scope and Contents
The series contains subject files of Constance Lesold's work with the Eastern Parkway Coalition and includes documents dating from 1952 to 2007.
The files were maintained by Constance Lesold, who was also an active member of other community groups, such as Community Boards 8 and 9, the Brooklyn Tenants Union, and local block associations. Files related to those other organizations appear frequently in the series.
The series documents several topics relating to the Crown Heights and Prospect Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn from the 1970s to the early 2000s. These subjects include community gardens, housing/tenant rights, mass transit, summer youth programs, drug use, environmentalism, mental health, public parks, the Haitian community, and urban renewal.
Community gardens are especially well represented in the files, especially the Franklin Avenue Shuttle Garden, which was demolished by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in 1989. Controversy over the Brooklyn Botanic Garden charging entrance fees is also addressed in the series.
Cultural affairs are also featured in the series, especially the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Public Library, and the New Muse.
The files are primarily composed of flyers, publications, correspondence, memoranda, and clippings. A small amount of files include photographs, slides, negatives, and audio cassettes.
Arrangement
The materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.
[Clippings, correspondence, and banner], 1981-1989, inclusive
[MTA correspondence], 1988, inclusive
Eastern Parkway news articles and publications, 1973-1980, inclusive
Urban Park Rangers, 1979-1980, inclusive
Tree Tips, 1979-1984, inclusive
[Hand drawn Eastern Parkway Coalition Garden map], circa 1980s, inclusive
Air and noise pollution, 1974-1978, inclusive
Growing herbs and vegetables, 1975-1982, inclusive
Container gardening, 1977, inclusive
Wild plants, 1978, inclusive
House plants and poisonous plants, 1977-1980, inclusive
Endangered species, 1980-1981, inclusive
Birds, 1980-1983, inclusive
Butterfly, circa 1980, inclusive
Zoos, 1980
Dogs, circa 1980, inclusive
Mouse care information, circa 1980, inclusive
Planetaria, 1952-1983, inclusive
Timed materials, City lot (Council on Environment), circa 1980, inclusive
Flowers, circa 1980, inclusive
Insects and diseases, circa 1980, inclusive
[Gardening] tools, circa 1980, inclusive
Watering tips, circa 1980, inclusive
Soil and compost, circa 1980, inclusive
Ground covers and vines, 1979-1981, inclusive
Berries, circa 1980, inclusive
Eastern Parkway complaint form, circa 1980, inclusive
Other groups' on the parkway events, 1978-1980, inclusive
Municipal Arts Society, 1982, 1999, inclusive
Squibb and Van Vorhees Parks, 1980-1981, inclusive
Community gardens, 1977-1981, inclusive
Local group purchasing energy, 1983
Horticultural society, 1981
NY Street Tree Consortium, 1984
Gateway [National Recreation Area], 1979-1984, inclusive
Al-Karim School, circa 1980, inclusive
274 St. Johns Place and Grand Army Plaza, 1980
Boro budget meetings, 1980
Community Board 8, 1978-1984, 1996, inclusive
[Flyers, publications, clippings], 1978-1980, inclusive
[Clippings], 1978-1980, inclusive
[Flyers, publications, clippings], 1977-2006, inclusive
[Brooklyn Botanic Garden even photographs], circa 2000, inclusive
[Lincoln Place and Eastern Parkway united neighborhood block association], 1976-1977, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes Crown Heights housing and landlord-tenant complaints.
Obituaries, 1983-1991, inclusive
[Mount Prospect Park], 1988, inclusive
Brooklyn Botanic Garden fees / protests, 2002, inclusive
Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prospect Park, 1980-2002, inclusive
Park Slope and Brooklyn Greens, 1998-1999, inclusive
[New York City Committee on Health / American Lung Association], 1998, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes materials from the Pediatric Asthma Center.
[New York City Department of Environmental Protection meetings], 2006-2007, inclusive
Herbicides and Pesticides, 1999-2006, inclusive
Pesticides and West Nile Virus, 1998-2006, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes newsletters and flyers from the Green Party.
[Pesticides], 2000-2001, inclusive
Black Music Association, 1979, inclusive
New Muse, 1973-1982, inclusive
[Lincoln Place United Block Association and New Muse], 1974-1992, inclusive
General
This folder includes material related to Arthur Miller and Nostrand Avenue Community Commerce Association.
[Lincoln Place United Block Association and New Muse], 1976-1980, inclusive
General
This folder includes photographs .
Maps, 1976, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes district maps, Jimmy Carter election flyers, Woodrow Lewis election flyers, flyers and materials related to local politics, and flyers and materials related to a budget cut at Medgar Evers College.
Community Board 8 - Structure and membership, 1978-1981, inclusive
CD V hearings material, 1978-1979, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes materials related to community development grants, Community Board 8, New Muse, Arthur Miller, and Nostrand Avenue Community Commerce. Association
Community Board 8 press release, 1983, inclusive
Programs and proposals by various organizations, 1971-1973, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes materials about drug abuse prevention.
Drug abuse prevention, 1972-1975, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes materials published by the 77th Precinct Community Council and the Crown Heights Youth Center.
[Eastern Parkway Coalition, Brooklyn Tenants Union, The Muse, and other organizations], 1977-1979, 1989, inclusive
General
This folder includes materials related to St. John's Recreation Center and Haitian American Day Care Center.
Phoenix Center correspondence, 1970-1973, 1981, inclusive
[League of Women Voters of the City of New York election booklets], 1978-1993, inclusive
[Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Dutch Elm Disease], 1978-1982, inclusive
[Fix Eastern Parkway petition form], 1992
Library kiosks - Brooklyn Tenants Union, 1978-1980, inclusive
General
This folder includes materials related to the Self-Help Neighborhood Awards Program (SNAP) Award.
Brooklyn Tenants Union - Meetings attended by board and staff members, 1977-1979, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes materials related to various Crown Heights community groups, including The East.
Brooklyn Tenants Union - Publicity, 1979, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes reports on rent strikes.
[Children's issues], 1978-1979, inclusive
[Newsletters, publications, clippings], 1973-1979, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes materials related to community groups and gardening.
[Flyers, publications, clippings], 1999-2007, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes materials related to Brooklyn Botanic Garden fees.
Summer Youth Program, 1979, inclusive
Summer Youth Program - Garden time sheets, 1979, inclusive
[Flyers, newsletters, clippings], 1981-1989, inclusive
General
Franklin Avenue Shuttle and garden; includes photographs
Eastern Parkway, 1978-1981, inclusive
General
This folder includes correspondence and memos from Community Board 8.
Eastern Parkway Area Committee, 1977, inclusive
Street tree pruning and maintenance course, 1979, inclusive
Eastern Parkway Coalition - Notice of meetings and events on Parkway, 1978-1987, inclusive
Eastern Parkway Coalition - Garden correspondence, 1978-1989, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes a 1979 lease for the lot for the Franklin Avenue Shuttle Garden.
Eastern Parkway Coalition - Planning ideas, 1977-1981, inclusive
Bills and receipts, 1979-1984, inclusive
Community Board 8 - Parks Committee, 1979-1985, inclusive
Eastern Parkway Coalition stationery, circa 1979, inclusive
[GreenThumb newsletters], 1978-1989, inclusive
Eastern Parkway Coalition applications, circa 1982, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes a membership and field trip form.
[Community Board 8 - Environmental fairs, apartheid protest, and other events], 1984-1986, inclusive
Merchant appeals, 1980, inclusive
Dutch Elm trees pamphlets and survey, 1973-1982, inclusive
Operation Greenthumb, 1979-1986, inclusive
Eastern Parkway Coalition - Correspondence and newsletters, 1979-1984, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes materials related to Dutch Elms and the Franklin Avenue Shuttle.
Eastern Parkway Coalition - Meetings attended, 1982-1985, inclusive
Franklin Avenue Shuttle Community Garden, 1979-1984, inclusive
Franklin Avenue Shuttle Community Garden - Summer programs, 1982-1983, inclusive
West Indian Day Carnival, 1979-1983, inclusive
Black Spectrum Theater and other Coalition groups, 1978-1979, inclusive
[Crown Heights Board of Community Affairs], 1971-1979, inclusive
Grant Square, 1980-1984, inclusive
Grants information, 1981, inclusive
Trust for Public Land and Neighborhood Open Space Coalition, 1979, inclusive
Brooklyn Museum, 1978-1981, inclusive
Parks Council, 1978-1984, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes a photograph with Constance Lesold.
Magnolia Tree Earth Center, 1975-1985, inclusive
Council on the Environment, 1974-1983, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes materials related to the Greenmarket farmers market program.
Environmental Defense Fund and Environmental Action Coalition, 1974, circa 1980, inclusive
Weeksville, 1975-1983, inclusive
Cornell Extension [Cornell Cooperative Extension], 1977-1984, inclusive
Green Guerilla, 1979-1980, inclusive
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 1981
Drug Abuse Prevention Proposal Committee, 1973-1974, inclusive
Children's projects, 1977, inclusive
Other landmark groups, 1978-1984, inclusive
[Crown Heights - Area Maintenance Program], 1972-1976, inclusive
Crown Heights newsletters, 1971-1977, inclusive
[New York City Community Planning Districts], 1973-1977, inclusive
Registered Democrats, 1976-1978, inclusive
[Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA)], 1977-1978, inclusive
General
These folders include materials related to New Muse, Brooklyn Tenants Union, and Brooklyn Renaissance Coalition for Jobs.
[Clippings and flyers], 1969-1983, inclusive
Beware of Elms in Thunder audio recordings, 1980, inclusive
General
Two audio cassette tapes, also includes Gail Guillet, NYC Landmarks Commission, NPR, Bilingual Education Conference, and universal identity card
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
These undigitized audio cassette tapes are not available for research.
Artists of the Eastern Parkway Coalition - Beware of Elms in Thunder sign, circa 1980, inclusive
Kingsboro and Mental Health, 1976-1981, inclusive
Scope and Contents
These folders include materials regarding the Brooklyn Tenants Union and Brooklyn Association for Mental Health.
[Brooklyn Tenants Union - Rent strikes], 1966-1986, inclusive
Recent housing and CD [Community Development] materials, 1981, inclusive
Brooklyn Tenants Union - Summer Youth Program, 1979, inclusive
Notes of Executive Board meetings and membership, 1978-1979, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The materials in this folder are related to the Brooklyn Tenants Union.
Incorporation papers, by-laws, and finances, 1977-1979, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The materials in this folder are related to the Brooklyn Tenants Union.
Fire, 1982-1991, inclusive
Brooklyn Community Council and Black Community Congress of Central Brooklyn, 1978
Brooklyn Tenants Union, 1974-1977, inclusive
[Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) applicants], 1978
[Albany bus trip], 1977
Personnel information, 1977-1978, inclusive
BTU [Brooklyn Tenants Union] - Other current projects, 1979
People's Housing Network, 1978-1979, inclusive
Census tracts, 1978
Old membership list, circa 1976, inclusive
Current material on Coalition, 1979
Proposals writing, 1977-1979, inclusive
Campaign for Human Development, 1978-1979, inclusive
Proposals, 1978-1979, inclusive
Progress Reports [newsletter], 1980
[Calendar of the Board of Estimate of the City of New York], 1977, inclusive
[Calendar of the Board of Estimate of the City of New York], 1977
Brooklyn Tenants Union stamp, circa 1978, inclusive
[New York City Housing Authority - Welcome to your Home], circa 1978, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder contains a children's activity book.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Fee issues, 1993-2002, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes photographs of events and activities at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Lesold - Community Board 8 Parks Committee correspondence, 1973-2002, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes photographs of people working in a garden.
[Magnolia Tree Earth Center], 1990-1991, 1998, inclusive
[Flyers, newsletters, clippings], 1997-2005, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This folder includes flyers, newsletters, and clippings related to Medgar Evers College, the Parks Department budget, community gardens, McCarren Park, and St. Johns Recreation Center.
[Calendar of the Board of Estimate of the City of New York and census], 1978
Brooklyn 2000 - State of the Borough, circa 2000, inclusive
Youth Committee, 1980-1983, inclusive
[Youth Programs], 1980-1984, inclusive
Recreation Misc., circa 1980, inclusive
[Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Haitian advocacy groups], 1986-2006, inclusive
Scope and Contents
These folders also include other Crown Heights organizations.
[The Haitian Academy, L'Académie Haïtienne], 2006
[Eastern Parkway Coalition exhibition at New Muse and photographs], 1975-1980, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The photographs included in these folders may have been exhibited as a part of the exhibition. The photographs depict dying elms, unidentified garden clean-up and advocacy events, a Lincoln Terrace Park clean-up event, installation of historic markers along Eastern Parkway, and a protest against the closing of the Franklin Avenue Shuttle. Hattie Carthan and Ruth Goring are in some of these photographs.
[Lincoln Terrace Park event photographs], 1984
[Haiti], 1987-1990, inclusive
[Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Haitian advocacy groups], 1986-1990, inclusive
Haitian-American Citizens for Action (HACFA) financial aid, 1987
[Brooklyn Botanic Garden publications], 1981-1999, inclusive
[Botanic Gardens Conservation magazine], 1996
[Garden publications], circa 1996, inclusive
[Eastern Parkway Coalition flyers, memoranda, and tree records], 1979-1996, inclusive
[Visits to Haiti], 1996-1997, inclusive
[Visit to Haiti photographs], 1996
[Community flyers], 1980-2006, inclusive
[Reference letters], 1989
[EPS Garden Party photographs], 2006
[Eastern Parkway Coalition, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Haitian groups, and other organizations], 1980-2006, inclusive
[Grand Jury Repression], 1978
Jackson Point Du Jour, 1975-1978, inclusive
Haitian Coalition on AIDS cassette tape, 1988
Scope and Contents
This cassette tape was produced by the Haitian Coalition on AIDS in June 1988. It is titled "Lan Mó Avéti Pa Touye Kokobe," "This cassette is made possible by a grant from the NYC Dept. of Health."
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Original Format: compact audio cassette, Duration: 36:53
Two preservation .WAV files. Two access .mp3 files.
Cassette tapes are not available for research use. Access to the interview is available online on the Internet Archive.
Haiti Projects in Partnership, 1998-1999, inclusive
[Haiti advocacy organizations], 1998-2005, inclusive
Gateway [Gateway National Recreation Area], 1978-1979, inclusive
Summer Youth Employment Program, 1979
Scope and Contents
These folders include garden sketches and plans.
Community Gardens, 1999
Community Gardens, 1998-2002, inclusive
Prospect Place Garden petition, 1983
Eastern Parkway Area Committee - Summer Youth Program - Sanitation, 1978
[Museum/Art censorship], 1999
[Community Gardens and Parks], 1996-2006, inclusive
[Brooklyn - music and tourism], 1979, 2007, inclusive
Franklin Avenue Shuttle Garden, 1979-2001, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This file includes photographs and garden plans.
Underfunding of Black organizations, 1976-1978, inclusive
Greenthumb NYC, 2002
Landmarks Preservation Commission, 1978-1983, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This file includes Community Board District 8 city program and project review.
[Franklin Avenue Shuttle and other subway issues], 1981-1991, inclusive
First Annual Conference on NYC Public Transit, 1981-1982, inclusive
[Community Board 8 committees - Parks and NYC public transit], 1981-1994, inclusive
MTA - Rules of Behavior, 1989-1992, inclusive
Franklin Avenue Shuttle, 1981-1983, inclusive
[Subway clippings], 1986
MTA - Hearing rules, 1990
Summer bus service to Gateway [Gateway National Recreation Area], 1982-1989, inclusive
[Franklin Avenue Shuttle and other subway issues], 1986-1993, inclusive
MTA Board, 1990-1991, inclusive
Community Board 9 - Transportation committee, 1983-1990, inclusive
Franklin Avenue Shuttle, 1981-1982, inclusive
[Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Museum, Oliver Leeds, citywide strike], 1981-1994, inclusive
Scrapbook items, 1987
Scope and Contents
Includes material relating to Haitians and other Crown Heights community issues; includes photographs
[League of Women Voters, representation guide], 1995-1996, inclusive
[Report on Transit Operating Performance in New York State], 1982
[New York City Transit Report], 1982
[Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA reports], 1982
["Analysis of the New York City Policy Toward Demolishing Elevated Transit Lines" thesis], 1981
[Metropolitan Transit Authority, Report of the Executive Director], 1983
[New York City Transit and Traffic report], 1982
[Metropolitan Transportation Authority Report to the Governor], 1986-1987, inclusive
["Off the Track" public transportation report], 1981
[Metropolitan Transit Authority, Strategic Planning Initiative], 1986
[New York City Transit Authority Contract Brooklyn East], 1982
[New York City Transit Authority Capital Budget], 1982-1983, inclusive
[First Annual Conference on New York City Public Transit], 1982
[Metropolitan Transit Authority, Report of the Executive Director], 1982
[New York City Transit Authority Operating Budget Proposal], 1987
[Metropolitan Transit Authority request for federal financial assistance], 1988
[Noise code implementation report], 1984
[Straphangers Campaign Reports], 1984-1986, inclusive
[Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA report], 1981
[New York City Transit Authority Annual Report], 1953-1954, inclusive
[Franklin Avenue Shuttle study], 1991
Eastern Parkway Coalition proclamation, 1989
Series 2: Plans and maps, 1973-1988, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains plans and maps for the reconstruction and redevelopment of Eastern Parkway and other streets in the Prospect Heights and Crown Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn, dating from 1973 to 1986. The series also includes district maps and plans for playground reconstruction. The plans and maps were produced by the City of New York.
Arrangement
This series is intellectually arranged by date.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Most of the materials in this series are stored offsite offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact cbhreference@bklynlibrary.org at least two weeks prior to research visit.
Reconstruction of Eastern Parkway plans, 1986
Scope and Contents
These folders contain New York City Department of Transportation Bureau of Highway Operations blueprints dated October 27, 1986 for the rehabilitation of Eastern Parkway from Washington Avenue to Pitkin Avenue. The Federal Project number is IXA - 504B and the contract number is THCK 170B. The plans cover traffic signals, park removals, lampposts and luminaires, electrical layout, and subway ventilators.
Eastern Parkway maintenance of traffic general plan, 1986
Scope and Contents
This folder includes City of New York Department of Transportation plans, dated October 27, 1986. These blueprints are titled "Maintenance of Traffic - General Plan." Contract number THCK 170B.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
This material is stored offsite. Please contact library staff for more information.
New York Housing and Development Administration - Crown Heights Community Planning Districts No. 8 and 9 map, 1973
Scope and Contents
This folder contains a Block and Lot Map for Crown Heights Community Planning Districts No. 8 and 9. It was published by the New York Housing and Development Administration with data from the Finance Administration.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
This item is not available for research due to its size and fragility.
