Park Slope
Park Slope is a neighborhood in the western section of Brooklyn, New York City’s most populous borough. Park Slope is roughly bounded by Prospect Park West to the east, Fourth Avenue to the west, Park Place to the north and 15th Street to the south, though other definitions are sometimes offered. It takes its name from its location on the western slope of neighboring Prospect Park. Seventh Avenue and Fifth Avenue are its primary commercial streets, while its east-west side streets are populated by many historic brownstones.
Park Slope is characterized by its historic buildings, top-rated restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as close access to Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and the Central Library (as well as the Park Slope branch) of the Brooklyn Public Library system.
The neighborhood had a population of about 62,200 as of the 2000 census, resulting in a population density of approximately 68,000/square mile, or approximately 26,000/square kilometer.
In December 2006, Natural Home magazine named Park Slope one of America’s ten best neighborhoods based on criteria including parks, green spaces and neighborhood gathering spaces; farmer’s markets and community gardens; public transportation and locally-owned businesses; and environmental and social policy. Park Slope is part of Brooklyn Community Board 6.
Early history
The area that today comprises the neighborhood of Park Slope was first inhabited by the Canarsee Native Americans. The Dutch colonized the area by the 1600s and farmed the region for more than 200 years. During the American Revolutionary War on August 27, 1776, the Park Slope area served as the backdrop for the beginning of the Battle of Long Island, also called the Battle of Brooklyn, the first pitched battle between the British and the Continental Army under the command of George Washington. In this battle, over 10,000 British Redcoats and Hessians routed outnumbered American forces at Battle Pass. What appeared as a major defeat for the colonials was actually the first of many of Washington’s tactical retreats. The historic site of Battle Pass is now preserved in Prospect Park, and on Fifth Avenue there is a reconstruction of the stone farmhouse where a countercharge covered the American retreat.
Transportation
The neighborhood is well served by the New York City Subway. Several lines have stops in Park Slope. The F train runs along 9th Street, a main shipping street, stopping at Fourth Avenue, Seventh Avenue and 15th Street–Prospect Park/Prospect Park West. The 2 and 3 trains top at Atlantic Avenue, Bergen Street and Grand Army Plaza. The 4 and 5 (during rush hours only) trains stop at Atlantic Avenue. The N, M, and R trains run along Fourth Avenue, stopping at Prospect Avenue, Ninth Street, Union Street and Atlantic Avenue–Pacific Street. The D train also stops at Atlantic Avenue-Pacific Street; and the B Q trains stop there and at Seventh Avenue at Flatbush.
Community institutions
- Park Slope Food Co-op on Union Street has approximately 12,000 members from Park Slope and other neighborhoods. Only members may shop there and membership requires a work commitment of 2 3/4 hours every four weeks.
- Park Slope Volunteer Ambulance Corps provides emergency medical services to community members regardless of ability to pay.
- The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, part of the Brooklyn Queens Conservatory of Music, is a community music school, offering music classes, ensembles and choral opportunities, and individual instrumental and vocal lessons to students from 18 months old to adults. It was founded in 1897.
