At one time, East New York had the ignominious distinction of leading the city in murders. It is still a bit rough around the edges, but has some interesting sites. The center of activity is along Livonia Ave., under the "El." Photo shows "New Vision" community garden, with murals. Across the street on Schenck Ave. is a mural depicting the history of East New York. First line over the boots says "ENY was inhabited first by the Canarsie Indians..." On New Lots Ave., Dutch farmers built a landmark church, New Lots Reformed, in 1823. On Sutter Ave., P.S. 149 was built in 1905 and renamed the Danny Kaye School in honor of its famous alumnus.
Most interesting, tucked away on the west edge of ENY bordering East Flatbush is the oldest surviving structure in New York at intersection of Ralph Ave. and Clarendon Rd. It is the Pieter Claesen Wyckoff House built in 1652. It was originally the center of a Dutch West India Company bowerie (farm). During the Revolutionary War, Wyckoff's great-great grandson lived in the house, where British and American forces clashed in the Battle of Brooklyn on August 27, 1776. The Wyckoff house is an excellent example of the Dutch Colonial vernacular style with its H-frame structure, shingled walls, split Dutch doors, and deep, flared "spring" eaves.
Heading south on Pennsylvania Ave., aka Granville Payne Ave., all the way to Jamaica Bay, lands one on the Canarsie Pier. I saw over 50 fisherman casting reels.
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