Summary(0:30) Becoming an activist in Williamsburg and reporting for Greenline -- (2:20) Effects of 2005 rezoning and problems for community -- (4:00) Williamsburg Development Watchdog group and preserving elements in the neighborhood -- (5:28) Becoming North Brooklyn Parks Administrator and Executive Director of Open Space Alliance and fighting for park space after 2005 waterfront rezoning -- (7:00) Bushwick Inlet Park and buying parcels -- (10:50) Importance of having city government official on your side -- (11:48) Challenges of getting Transmitter Park open -- (13:30) Securing access to the waterfront by opening street ends and getting kayak launch opened -- (15:45) Opening McCarren Park Pool -- (17:00) Racial discrimination issues in getting pool reopened -- (19:50) Community had to get on board with pool to get the pool renovated -- (20:45) Getting funding to renovate Rodney Park North and Cooper Park -- (21:48) Demapping Union Street at Driggs at McCarren Park -- (22:36) Park programming and concert series -- (28:10) Community being connected and activism strengthening bonds
NoteAudio interview conducted on March 20, 2019, by Acacia Thompson in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Collected through Our Streets, Our Stories, an oral history project of Brooklyn Public Library. This project is funded through the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund.
SubjectNew York (N.Y.). Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn ; Real Estate Development ; Community development ; McCarren Play Center (New York, N.Y.) ; Concerts ; Capital improvements ; Live Nation, Inc. ; Activism
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TitleOral history interview with Stephanie Thayer conducted on 2019 March 20.