The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1910-11-17

Scheme to Beautity Brooklyn
by Small Societies.
RESIDENTS BANDED TOGETHER


Good Results - Several Improve
ments Obtained and Grievances Re-
overwhelmingly Feeling Shown.
Organize a block improvement soci-
ETY.. In this way sometimes more can
be accomplished than through larger
organizati ton. A neighboring block or
one in another part Of the town may
see your good work and profit by your
example. Thus the good work will
spread from one section to another.
The plans of an organization in
Brooklyn are herewith given and are
we'll worth considering:
Brooklyn. which has long been
known as the city of homes and
churches, bids fair to become the city
beautiful if an idea which has taken
practical shape in one section spreads
throughout the borough. as it seems
likely to do. The residents of one
block in the Bedford section have
banded together to bring about certain
ideals and to combat everything an
noying or Objectionable to any or all
of the members. The block is now a
desirable residential one. and the prop
erty owners want to keep it so.
They have formed the Grand Avenue
association. elected officers. an execu-
tive committee and adopted bylaws.
These bylaws state that the object
of the organization is ito improve,
beautify and protect the block in Grand
avenues"
The association was started through
the attempt of builder to erect
large apartment house on the block.
The property owners got together, and
the project was blocked. They got the
consent of the owners Of another plot
not to sell to anybody without giving
them a chance to buy.
While the members stand ready to
contribute to a common fund any
money necessary to carry out the OBJ
jects Of the association, they pay only
So year dues and meet only when
called together to act on some prop
osition that the executive committee
does not wish to finally decide.
The intention of the members is to
secure the establishment of the block
by planting trees and giving proper
care to those now growing. to see that
the lawns and gardens are kept in
good condition. that unsightly obStruc-
tons be removed and that the city
officials do not neglect them in the
matter Of public Improvements.
The association is giving large
from the food which occurs on the
avenue after heavy rain. They want
to get more adequate sewer in the
street.
'This community of interest idea is
a fine one" said Mr.. Kingman. chair
should be adopted generally by house
owners of the borough. Of course we
now have taxpayers and property
owners associations all over the Dor
ough. and they are good things. but
they are of necessity large and rather
unwieldy bodies and represent a more
or less large section where interests
are not always the same.
but the interests of the property
owners in one block are usually alike,
and the members are naturally more
intimately associated. so that much
more can be accomplished for the gen
eral good. We get along without
Jar. and there is much more neigh
borly feeling among the residents OF
the block than ever before. | am
firm believer in block organizations
and would advise that they be formed
in every part of the borough. By unit
ed action the taxpayers can accom-
plish much more than they could as
individuals, and in this way they can
get Improvements which have hereto
fore been missing and help make the
borough beautiful"
While this block organization Is a
new thing in Brooklyn. there are al
ready several we'll established organi-
cations of property owners in certain
suburban sections. Notable among
these is the Prospect Park West asso-
ciation in suburb just below Pros
pect park. Every resident Of the sub
urb is member. and there are GER
tain rules and regulations laid down
which all must abide by. Out Of a
common fund flower gardens in the
streets, lawns. shrubbery and hedges
are cared for, and every member is
pledged to keep up the tone Of the
neighborhood. No private garages are
allowed, and no fences except those
absolutely necessary are permitted.
And these must be ornamental and Of
a prescribed height. One resident who
recently erected an Ornamental fence
near Church avenue had to cut it down
because it was too high. The associa-