Blake / Saratoga / Legion / Grafton / Howard / Tapscott

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After some inclement weather, I finally got out again. This time, it was back to Brownsville and Blake Ave. After that, it was up and down (north and south) on the side streets between East New York Ave and E 98 Street (which meet almost at a right angle to each other).

The obligatory shot of the rail line that may one day become the IBX. After that, it was two blocks of Junius Street. The squiggle is because I made a quick stop into some kind of dollar store that's over there. And then I set off west of Blake Ave. I don't know why I don't have a photo down Blake Ave (maybe there was traffic, and then I forgot?) but here's a picture of the New York City Housing Authority Van Dyke Community Center. Something about the building caught my attention. I didn't know what it was until I checked online.

Another building that is more (or less?) than meets the eye. Above that arch, it says Public School 125. Below that is the school's front door. And below that is ... NOTHING. Certainly not the stairs that should take students up to the main floor! As Bugs Bunny might say, "Watch that first step! It's a lulu!"

Beneath that is a sign for Kidney Care. Has this entire building been converted into a medical facility?

The Brooklyn Public Library has a web page dedicated to The Mystery of PS 125. Basically, it was founding in 1900 and served the community for at least 60+ years but at some point it was just abandoned, and no one is exactly sure why. However, the building was empty (or at least devoid of students) for four decades or possibly more. Okay, that's weird.

After that, Imagination Playground at Betsy Head Park is just a bit ho-hum.

Switching to the north side of the avenue, I came upon Amboy Neighborhood Garden, which looks like a nice place to sit and relax.

When I got to Saratoga Ave, I took a right turn. I'd already walked the rest of Blake Ave, so I headed up Saratoga to East New York Avenue. After that I walked over to Legion, which has a pedestrian walkway for a block until the street begins.

The first thing I spotted on Legion was another example of really ugly architecture. Can they put another front on this thing. (Trust me, it looks worse in person.)

The second thing I noticed was the Fantasy Garden. I'm always on the lookout for green spaces.

One picture of Legion Street, and two of Grafton. The change in the direction of the parked cars means that the first was south of Livonia and the other was north of Livonia.

And now it gets interesting with curving, winding streets. I have driven Kings Highway end to end (not fun). On this side of things, if you drive past the end of Kings Highway, you find yourself on Tapscott, which then splits and curves until it joins Howard Ave.

Walking south, I start where Howard Ave is a major road, and then the extra lanes get stripped away until it's just a regular side street again.

Finally, it was up Tapscott, slide back over to Howard, and then back down Tapscott. And then back to Blake so I can get a train and head home.

And that's it for this trip. Come back soon.

Following me at @mrburkemath on Instagram for more timely images!

All of the above photos and videos, unless otherwise stated, were taken by Christopher J. Burke and are subject to copyright.

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