Bed-Stuy Wants Bike Lanes, Dog Parks And Solar Power, Map Shows

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — A new map shows Bed-Stuy wants tennis court clean-ups, solar-powered public housing and a new bike lane to allow cyclists to "bike safely without a------ car drivers."

Bed-Stuy has until Oct. 11 to vote on which projects it would like to see funded through City Council's participatory budgeting program, which could bring up to $35 million in infrastructural upgrades to New York City.

Locals have already begun pitching their ideas for the improvements Bed-Stuy needs most, and all of them can be seen on this City Council map.

Anyone can post an idea for the ninth cycle of participatory budgeting, but “expense" projects, such as after-school programs or extending bus service, are not eligible for funding through the program.

Here's just a few of the projects Bed-Stuy has in mind:

1. Installing more public trash cans throughout the neighborhood. Wrote David Robinson,"Well-designed signage promoting neighborhood pride and making it easy to find a non-overflowing trash can could go a long way to creating new social norms."

2. A bike lane near Hancock Street and Malcolm X Boulevard. Wrote Jake Botkin, a bike lane would allow cyclists to "bike safely without a------ car drivers."

3. Solar Power for NYCHA Housing. Wrote Emily Fischer, "Residents would have reduced cost renewable energy and could sell surplus energy to their neighbors outside NYCHA. I would love to see my neighbors at Stuyvesant Gardens benefit from this program."

4. Clean up the Jackie Robinson Park Playground Tennis Courts and install a skate park. Wrote Sarah, "Make it into an real & clean skateboard park so kids have a safe place to play, and to avoid the rat problem in the area."

5. Dog run in Saratoga Park. Wrote Catherine Del Buono, "This will benefit dog owners and non dog owners alike. Dogs can run off-leash without the risk of scaring or possibly hurting others in the park."

Check out what else has been proposed or submit your own ideas here.