Mommy FTW

Did you know that there’s free children’s concerts in Fort Greene Park this summer?  It’s a series called Music in the Grove, and it’s every Wednesday morning from 10-11am in the “grove” (the grassy area by the monument).  The first concert is this Wednesday, June 23rd.  Cameron and I will be there!  Here’s the complete schedule for the free summer music series:

Jun 23, 2010 Audra Rox

Jun 30, 2010 The Rozz and Val Show

Jul 7, 2010 Astrograss

Jul 14, 2010 Suzi Shelton

Jul 21, 2010 Rolie Polie Guacamole

Jul 28, 2010 Deedle Deedle Dees

Aug 4, 2010 Bubble do Beatles

Aug 11, 2010 King Pajama

Bring a picnic blanket, some bubbles, and perhaps some musical instruments (egg shakers, anyone?)  It should be a fun time.  See you there!

This concert series is brought to us by the Fort Greene Park Conservancy.  Help support them and make a donation!

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

One of the most popular playgrounds in Fort Greene is the small playground located in Fort Greene Park near the intersection of DeKalb Ave and Washington Park.  Although it can be fun to visit this playground because you are practically guaranteed to run into someone you know, it certainly has its downsides : It’s crowded, and in the summer, ridiculously hot (there is no shade whatsoever to speak of).  There’s not a lot of play equipment, and the swings (only 4 of them) face directly into the sun at pretty much all hours.  A lot of people think this is the only playground in Fort Greene Park, and have never ventured over to the large and lovely one on the opposite corner of the park (at Myrtle and St. Edwards St.)

This playground, called New Fort Greene  / Fort Greene Park Playground is HUGE!  In 1995 almost $1.2 million was spent on its renovation – and it shows!  Built in the shape of a fort, it has lots of levels, slides, and other obstacles to explore.  There’s 8 baby swings, and a separate baby/toddler playground.  The ground is lined with those soft rubber pads, which is great for early walkers.  There is also a nice water feature, and bathrooms.  It has great shade no matter what hour of the day.  Also, the playground is almost always pretty empty.  Often when I tell people about New Fort Greene, they seem concerned that it might not be safe.  While I wouldn’t play there in the evenings, I think during the day it’s perfectly safe – I myself have never felt uncomfortable there.  Just be sure to keep an eye on your belongings (which, I would recommend you do at any neighborhood playground).

If you’re tired of the crowds at the other playground in Fort Greene Park, or need to escape the summer heat, consider checking out New Fort Greene.  It will be a fun adventure for your little one!

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

Last Spring, Summer, and Fall Cameron and I could be found running around Fort Greene Park with Stephanie Severe and her stroller fitness class.  Personally, I hate to exercise (especially cardio!) but I knew after having Cameron I needed to get myself active again, and this was the best way.  Stephanie’s class is challenging (but not TOO challenging,) fun, and affordable.

Working out, having fun... and you don't need a sitter!

The new Spring session is about to start up – and since I am such a fan I wanted to post the information about it:

Stroller Fitness is a 45 minute class full of cardio, flexibility, stability and strength held in Fort Greene Park. Classes are open to all fitness levels. We utilize the entire park to keep it fun and challenging for you and entertaining for the kids. Any stroller type is suitable – a jogger is not necessary. Children of all ages are welcome as long as you think they can manage the 45 minutes in the stroller.

Classes will be held on MONDAYS AT 3 PM and WEDNESDAYS AT 11 AM starting the week of April 19th. The six week session costs $90 for 1 class per week and $180 for 2 classes per week. If you pre-register for 2 classes per week and attend all 12 classes I will give you a complimentary 30 minute core training session!

Please email Stephanie at stephanie AT stephanie severe DOT com to register.

FYI moms, my fitness level was low (so don’t worry if you aren’t exactly in tip top condition) and I used my Maclaren Techno stroller – you really don’t need a jogger.  Just bring some water, a snack for the little one, and a towel or picnic blanket that you can use when working out on the ground.

Want more info?  Check out this article I wrote for the Local last summer about Stroller Fitness.

One of the most amazing parts about Fort Greene is the incredible park!  I know Cameron and I have spent countless hours soaking up the sun, taking walks, and enjoying the playgrounds.  If you love the park as much as we do, then join the Fort Greene Park Conservancy.  Not only will you feel good about yourself, but you’ll get a spiffy T Shirt (I got one in Cameron’s size – they also have onesies and adult sizes) and members get discounts to local businesses.

Love Fort Greene Park? Then Join!

Here’s the member levels, and what you get:

SAPLING Student/Senior -Donation: $20
What you will get: Benefits from Participating Merchants

PINE – Donation: $40
What you will get: New Logo T-shirt, Benefits from Participating Merchants

CHESTNUT - Donation: $70
What you will get: New Logo T-shirt, Benefits from Participating Merchants, Invitation to exclusive Chestnut members-only events

OAK – Donation: $120
What you will get: New Logo T-shirt, Benefits from Participating Merchants, 20% discount on General Admission Ticket to Annual Gala Event, Invitation to exclusive Oak members-only events

GRAND ELM – Donation: $250
What you will get: New Logo T-shirt, Benefits from Participating Merchants, 20% discount on General Admission Ticket to Annual Gala Event, 10% discount on second ticket to Annual Gala Event, Invitation to exclusive Grand Elm members-only events

And these are the member benefits from local merchants (more to come!):

Audra Tsanos:
Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals: $25 off any Class
The General Greene:
5% off anything in the store. The ice cream cart will have a buy 10, get one free card.
Kiki’ Pet Spa and Boutique:
10% off all products and services.
Madiba Restaurants:
Free Glass of Wine or Beer with purchase of meal.
Private Picassos
10% off any class.
Smooch:
Buy one coffee or wine, get one free.
Thirst Wine Merchants:
In purchase of 4, 10% third bottle of wine.
The Art Shack:
10% off any class or camp week.

Check out the Fort Greene Park Conservancy facebook fanpage for the latest info!  And use this link to join!

Update: I passed by the tree on Friday evening and it looks like the limb removal was successful.  Hopefully it will recover just fine!

the Tree on Friday

Don't worry - It's not a goner!

This morning Cameron and I were playing in the playground at Fort Greene Park and I saw one of the park workers adjusting the tape around the gigantic tree that recently got hit by lightening.  I picked up Cam and we walked over to talk to her because I was curious to find out what the fate of the tree was going to be.  I was hoping they wouldn’t have to cut the whole thing down.  Well, thankfully, they won’t have to.

The park worker told me she had sent a picture of the tree to “Forestry” (I’m assuming those are the city-tree-expert-folks) and they said they thought they would be able to save it, and just remove the split part.  She said they would be coming by Friday with the chipper and chain saws.  Apparently there’s lots of trees down in the city, some in playgrounds, that have taken higher priority in terms of clean up than this one.

If you have a little one that loves machinery that makes loud noises (like mine does!) you might want to check in the park tomorrow to see if there is some chipping and chain saw action going down.

I consider myself a frugal person – I had no problem shelling out for Cameron’s Patagonia baby puff rider jacket because I knew he would wear it every day.  But buying an entire snow suit seemed excessive.  Afterall, would he really need it?  Well, yesterday I was wishing I had some waterproof bottoms for him after our first sledding trip in Fort Greene Park.  I mulled it over while Cam was taking his nap, and came up with a solution for our afternoon outing : I put him in a garbage bag from the waist down.  Not the most attractive solution – but it worked!  His jacket and mittens kept him dry up top, and the bag covered the rest!

FYI – the Patagonia winter sale is back on – with discounts of up to 50% off.  This includes baby stuff.  Cameron has both the Puff Rider Jacket and the Baby Capilene which I am thinking about buying again for next year!

Still have your Christmas tree in the house?  Don’t worry – It’s a good thing you procrastinated on taking it down because now you can take it to Fort Greene Park to have it turned into mulch!  The park uses the mulch in the gardens – you can also bring a bag and take some mulch home for your own garden.  So feel good about yourself!  And take your tree to the park for MulchFest this Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can drop your tree at Washington Pk. & Willoughby Avenue. Infact, I was there this morning and the pile has already been started:

Christmas Trees ready for reincarnation at Fort Greene Park

I went out for a walk this morning through Fort Greene Park and saw everyone enjoying the snow – building snowmen, playing on the playground, and of course, sledding.  I came upon a mom using a laundry basket as a sled for her little one (quite successfully I might add!)  The basket was gliding through the snow briskly, and she had a rope tied around her waist to move it along.  I am always impressed by mom genius!  So, you might not have a sled, but I know for sure you have a laundry basket!  Get out there and enjoy it!

So Smart!

Never to snowy to play!

Yesterday the family hit the slopes in Fort Greene Park for a little sledding.  Lucky for us there was an abandoned baby sled in the basement of our building!  Cameron totally loved it.  I got asked by a lot of parents where I got the sled, so I did a little research on Amazon to find a baby sled that looked similar:

Cameron's sled

Found on Amazon....

Click here to check it out so next time you’ll be ready! I think since we already have access to the baby sled, I will get these sleds so that the whole family can sled together on the next snow storm.

It’s supposed to start snowing soon (although when it comes to winter weather I never count my chickens before they hatch) and A Child Grows in Brooklyn did a post about the best sledding hills in the neighborhood (Fort Greene Park is of course on the list!) and how to make your own sled.  I am hoping to get Cameron out to the park this afternoon, or more likely, tomorrow for his first sledding experience.  So bundle up your little one and I’ll see you there!