Thirty years of the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest have quietly rewritten what Brooklyn sidewalks look like, and this is the Garden's attempt to put that on display — actual stoops rebuilt inside BBG, hand-painted block signs, coffee-can planters, the specific improvised aesthetic of a block that decided to take care of itself. Zachary Schulman's portrait and oral history project puts faces and voices to the blocks. If you have ever wondered who plants those tree pits, this show introduces t
What to expect
Two outdoor-facing installations you walk through rather than a hushed gallery: recreated streetscapes with plantings, signage and containers borrowed from the winning blocks, and a run of photographic portraits with accompanying oral histories. It fits easily into a normal Garden visit and works well with kids, who tend to like the stoop recreations more than the labels.
Good to know
- The 2/3 to Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum or the B/Q to Prospect Park both leave you at a Garden entrance.
- It is included with Garden admission, so no separate ticket is needed.
- The displays are outdoors along accessible paths and work fine with strollers and wheelchairs.
- Pair it with the Cranford Rose Garden and the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden for a full afternoon.
- Bring water and a hat in high summer — much of the route is in open sun.
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Common questions
What is the Greenest Block in Brooklyn?
A contest Brooklyn Botanic Garden has run for thirty years, judging blocks on their street tree beds, window boxes, stoop and container gardens.
Is it a separate ticket?
No — it is included with general Brooklyn Botanic Garden admission.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. The rebuilt stoops and streetscapes are physical and walkable, which holds children's attention better than a gallery show.
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