High Bridge is a community in the Bronx consisting of roughly 35,000 people. The neighborhood is predominantly Puerto Rican and African American, with an increasing population of Dominicans. Hispanics and African Americans began moving into the community after the 1960’s when the existing populations of predominantly Irish and other Eastern European descent began to move out. On average, income is middle class to poor, reflected too much in the community. Most of the photos portray my community in a negavtive light; not because I dislike my communitty, but because I want to draw attention to the inadequecies of my neighborhood in hopes that it will be improved.
The photo portrays what once was a park in a Highbridge. The park has been in this desolate state for nearly a decade. Over ten years ago it held a clean playground, though it was always closed and gated off so children were never able to enjoy it. In my lifetime this park space has never been open to the public. It remains an unused space, that is poorly maintained. The ground, as the image shows, is uneven and broken in some parts. Converting this land into a new community space or living quarters would require the demolition of the existing infrastructure- such a process woulod be costly.In order for this space to be used more effienctly, someone must take responsile for fixing it. The city has not fixed it, and no one in the community has taken the initiative to come up with any ideas and implement them. The community lack a way people can unify to create change and help develop solutions to our problems.
The photo portrays what once was a park in a Highbridge. The park has been in this desolate state for nearly a decade. Over ten years ago it held a clean playground, though it was always closed and gated off so children were never able to enjoy it. In my lifetime this park space has never been open to the public. It remains an unused space, that is poorly maintained. The ground, as the image shows, is uneven and broken in some parts. Converting this land into a new community space or living quarters would require the demolition of the existing infrastructure- such a process woulod be costly.In order for this space to be used more effienctly, someone must take responsile for fixing it. The city has not fixed it, and no one in the community has taken the initiative to come up with any ideas and implement them. The community lack a way people can unify to create change and help develop solutions to our problems.
This is an used space in Highbridge. The property lies between to buildings and behind a parking lot. This space has remained used throughout my lifetime. If it were to be used in the future, a multi-family house will likely be built on it due to it’s location and the properties adjacent to it. This would not be in the best interest of people who live in the existing community. Another apartment building, or home would further add to the overpopulation of the area. There is already very little parking for current residences due to the various homes, and new apartment buildings that have all been built less than five years ago. There is only one nearby park, and very few community centers; resources are not becoming more readily available yet the population of my neighborhood is constantly increasing. Spaces such as this prove ominous because I know they will not be used in the most productive manner; this land will not be used to benefit my community, but to serve the individual interests of outsiders. Most of the homes, and apartments are occupied by renters, rather than homeowners.
This is a gated-off empty lot in Highbridge. The land has not been used in decades. The area is cemented, indicating that at one point in time, the lot served a purpose but now it is unused and lacking in aesthetic appeal. It has become an area where people toss their garbage; the fence has become an area upon which ads are placed only to be ripped off or drawn over by people passing. This lot curves around the block and makes it feel desolate, also the sidewalk is cracked and uneven. This lot lowers the overall quality of the area and even creates a dangerous environment. It is an area people avoid walking through, especially at night. It often becomes a center for illegal drug exchanges and other crimes. Every couple of weeks, a cop car is parked on the block at night as a temporary method to prevent crime. The area is one generally avoided, yet there is a bus stop right in front of the empty lot. Most people walk up two blocks to the next bus stop rather than waiting on this one at night. This lot affects everyone in the community who takes the bus at this station; people who are entitled to feel safe as they community.
The most interesting fact about these three large unused spaces is, they can all be found on a single block. This block is the epitome of poor use of space in the Bronx. Lacking in community centers, public spaces, and scenic views; the area instead contains empty poorly used space.
The most interesting fact about these three large unused spaces is, they can all be found on a single block. This block is the epitome of poor use of space in the Bronx. Lacking in community centers, public spaces, and scenic views; the area instead contains empty poorly used space.
This is Plimpton Playground in Highbridge. It is a park where many people bring their children; typically ages ten and under. The park was nearly empty on the day this picture was taken because the weather was still not over fifty degrees. Outside the park there are tables and chairs where adult men sometimes sit to talk. Teenagers hang out in groups occasionally near or inside the park in the spring and fall. The image shows a wall that divides the park from the elevated street to the right. The wall is often scattered graffiti consisting of vulgar language, and names of graffiti writers. This graffiti is then covered up with black paint, which is equally heinous against the red wall. There are some communities where walls such a this one would have been painted over with a lovely mural. Graffiti artists will appreciate the art on the wall and children would enjoy the drawings as they play. Unfortunately there are no individuals willing to take on this task in my community. There are little to no situations in which people come together to better the community. This is what the wall looks like when people graffiti over the black paint intended to cover graffiti. The wall displays a hopeless cycle of repainting and graffitiing.
Advertisements in my neighborhood are unlike many in manhattan. Many ads are in spanish. they are found on local stores, walls, and fences. In Manhattan most ads are of large corporations; they typically contain caucasian individuals, or people caucasian in appearance. In Highbridge most ads are for small local businesses, especially clubs or restaurants that have an active night life. The people on the ads are hispanic, many are singers, performers of women wearing little clothes. The ads appeal to different people, where Manhattan promotes consumerism the Bronx promotes clubs, alcohol, and parties.