The Accidental Playground : Brooklyn Waterfront Narratives of the Undesigned and Unplanned

These included skateboarders who built a short-lived, but nationally renowned skatepark; a twenty-five-piece "public" marching band, fire performance troupes, and a variety of artists, photographers, and filmmakers. At the same time the site also served basic recreational needs of local residents. Collapsing piers became great places to catch fish, sunbathe, or take in the Manhattan skyline; the foundation of a demolished warehouse became an ideal place to practice music or skateboard; rubble-strewn earth became a compelling setting for film and fashion shoots; broken bulkhead became a beach; and thick patches of weeds dotted by ailanthus trees became a jungle. Drawing on a rich mix of documentary strategies including observation, ethnography, photography, and first-person narrative, Daniel Campo probes this accidental playground, allowing those who created it to share and examine their own narratives, perspectives, and conflicts.;Chapter 1 -- Discovering and Engaging a Waterfront -- Chapter 2- The Rise and Fall of Shantytown Skatepark -- Chapter 3- March and Burn: Practice, Performance and Leisure without a Plan -- Chapter 4- Outside Art: Exploring Wildness and Reclamation at the Water's Edge -- Chapter 5- Local Tales: Hanging Out and Observing Life on the Waterfront -- Chapter 6- Residential Life: Hardship and Resiliency on the Waterfront -- Chapter 7- Neighbors Against Garbage: Activism and Uneasy Alliances on the Waterfront -- Chapter 8- Unplanned Postscript: Dogs, Sunsets, Rock Bands and the Governance of a Waterfront Park -- Chapter 9- Planning for the Unplanned;The multiple constituencies of this Williamsburg waterfront were surprisingly diverse, their stories colorful and provocative. When taken together, Campo argues, they suggest a radical reimagining of urban public space, the waterfront, and the practices by which they are created and maintained. The Accidental Playground, which treats readers to an utterly compelling story, is an exciting and distinctive contribution to the growing literature on the unplanned and the undesigned spaces and activities in cities today;The Accidental Playground explores the remarkable landscape created by individuals and small groups who occupied and rebuilt an abandoned Brooklyn waterfront in Williamsburg. Without formal authority, capital, professional assistance, grand vision, consensus, or coordination with each other, these "vernacular" builders transformed a vacated waterfront railroad yard into a unique setting for recreation and creative endeavor. With the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop, the collapsing piers, eroded bulkhead, and remaining building foundations of the former Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal (BEDT) became the raw materials for various forms of waterside leisure and social spaces. Lacking predetermined rules governing its use, this waterfront evolved into the home turf for unusual and sometimes spectacular recreational, social, and creative subcultures. The Accidental Playground Explores The Remarkable Landscape Created By Individuals And Small Groups Who Occupied And Rebuilt An Abandoned Brooklyn Waterfront In Williamsburg. Without Formal Authority, Capital, Professional Assistance, Grand Vision, Consensus, Or Coordination With Each Other, These Vernacular Builders Transformed A Vacated Waterfront Railroad Yard Into A Unique Setting For Recreation And Creative Endeavor. With The Manhattan Skyline As Its Backdrop, The Collapsing Piers, Eroded Bulkhead, And Remaining Building Foundations Of The Former Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal (bedt) Became The Raw Materials For Various Forms Of Waterside Leisure And Social Spaces. Lacking Predetermined Rules Governing Its Use, This Waterfront Evolved Into The Home Turf For Unusual And Sometimes Spectacular Recreational, Social, And Creative Subcultures.^ These Included Skateboarders Who Built A Short-lived, But Nationally Renowned Skatepark; A Twenty-five-piece Public Marching Band, Fire Performance Troupes, And A Variety Of Artists, Photographers, And Filmmakers. At The Same Time The Site Also Served Basic Recreational Needs Of Local Residents. Collapsing Piers Became Great Places To Catch Fish, Sunbathe, Or Take In The Manhattan Skyline; The Foundation Of A Demolished Warehouse Became An Ideal Place To Practice Music Or Skateboard; Rubble-strewn Earth Became A Compelling Setting For Film And Fashion Shoots; Broken Bulkhead Became A Beach; And Thick Patches Of Weeds Dotted By Ailanthus Trees Became A Jungle. Drawing On A Rich Mix Of Documentary Strategies Including Observation, Ethnography, Photography, And First-person Narrative, Daniel Campo Probes This Accidental Playground, Allowing Those Who Created It To Share And Examine Their Own Narratives, Perspectives, And Conflicts.^ The Multiple Constituencies Of This Williamsburg Waterfront Were Surprisingly Diverse, Their Stories Colorful And Provocative. When Taken Together, Campo Argues, They Suggest A Radical Reimagining Of Urban Public Space, The Waterfront, And The Practices By Which They Are Created And Maintained. The Accidental Playground, Which Treats Readers To An Utterly Compelling Story, Is An Exciting And Distinctive Contribution To The Growing Literature On The Unplanned And The Undesigned Spaces And Activities In Cities Today-- With Its Detail, Depth, Compassion And Vision Campo's Work Makes An Invaluable Contribution To The Growing Literature On The Unplanned And The Undesigned Spaces And Activities In Cities Today. Highly Illustrated And Artfully Researched, The Book Will Draw Readers Into A Unique Space In One Of New York City's Most Popular Boroughs-- 1. Discovering And Engaging A Waterfront -- 2. The Rise And Fall Of Shantytown Skatepark -- 3. March And Burn: Practice, Performance And Leisure Without A Plan -- 4. Outside Art: Exploring Wildness And Reclamation At The Water's Edge -- 5. Local Tales: Hanging Out And Observing Life On The Waterfront -- 6. Residential Life: Hardship And Resiliency On The Waterfront -- 7. Neighbors Against Garbage: Activism And Uneasy Alliances On The Waterfront -- 8. Unplanned Postscript: Dogs, Sunsets, Rock Bands And The Governance Of A Waterfront Park -- 9. Planning For The Unplanned. Daniel Campo. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Accidental Playground explores the remarkable landscape created by individuals and small groups who occupied and rebuilt an abandoned Brooklyn waterfront. While local residents, activists, garbage haulers, real estate developers, speculators, and two city administrations fought over the fate of the former Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal (BEDT), others simply took to this decaying edge, transforming it into a unique venue for leisure, creative, and everyday practices. These occupiers and do-it-yourself builders created their own waterfront parks and civic spaces absent every resource needed for successful urban development, including plans, designs, capital, professional assistance, consensus, and permission from the waterfront's owners. Amid trash, ruins, weeds, homeless encampments, and the operation of an active garbage transfer station, they inadvertently created the “Brooklyn Riviera” and made this waterfront a destination that offered much more than its panoramic vistas of the Manhattan skyline. The terminal evolved into the home turf for unusual and sometimes spectacular recreational, social, and creative subcultures, including the skateboarders who built a short-lived but nationally renowned skatepark, a twenty-five-piece “public” marching band, fire performance troupes, artists, photographers, and filmmakers. At the same time it served the basic recreational needs of local residents. Collapsing piers became great places to catch fish, sunbathe, or take in the views; the foundation of a demolished warehouse became an ideal place to picnic, practice music, or do an art project; rubble-strewn earth became a compelling setting for film and fashion shoots; a broken bulkhead became a beach; and thick patches of weeds dotted by ailanthus trees became a jungle. These reclamations, all but ignored by city and state governments and property interests that were set to transform this waterfront, momentarily added to the distinctive cultural landscape of the city's most bohemian and rapidly changing neighborhood.Drawing on a rich mix of documentary strategies, including observation, ethnography, photography, and first-person narrative, Daniel Campo probes this accidental playground, allowing those who created it to share and examine their own narratives, perspectives, and conflicts. The multiple constituencies of this waterfront were surprisingly diverse, their stories colorful and provocative. When taken together, Campo argues, they suggest a radical reimagining of urban parks and public spaces, and the practices by which they are created and maintained. The Accidental Playground, which treats readers to an utterly compelling story, is an exciting and distinctive contribution to the growing literature on unplanned spaces and practices in cities today. The Accidental Playground explores the remarkable landscape created by individuals and small groups who occupied and rebuilt an abandoned Brooklyn waterfront. While local residents, activists, garbage haulers, real estate developers, speculators, and two city administrations fought over the fate of the former Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal (BEDT), others simply took to this decaying edge, transforming it into a unique venue for leisure, creative, and everyday practices. These occupiers and do-it-yourself builders created their own waterfront parks and civic spaces absent every resource needed for successful urban development, including plans, designs, capital, professional assistance, consensus, and permission from the waterfronts owners. Amid trash, ruins, weeds, homeless encampments, and the operation of an active garbage transfer station, they inadvertently created the Brooklyn Riviera and made this waterfront a destination that offered much more than its panoramic vistas of the Manhattan skyline. The terminal evolved into the home turf for unusual and sometimes spectacular recreational, social, and creative subcultures, including the skateboarders who built a short-lived but nationally renowned skatepark, a twenty-five-piece public marching band, fire performance troupes, artists, photographers, and filmmakers. At the same time it served the basic recreational needs of local residents. Collapsing piers became great places to catch fish, sunbathe, or take in the views; the foundation of a demolished warehouse became an ideal place to picnic, practice music, or do an art project; rubble-strewn earth became a compelling setting for film and fashion shoots; a broken bulkhead became a beach; and thick patches of weeds dotted by ailanthus trees became a jungle. These reclamations, all but ignored by city and state governments and property interests that were set to transform this waterfront, momentarily added to the distinctive cultural landscape of the citys most bohemian and rapidly changing neighborhood. Drawing on a rich mix of documentary strategies, including observation, ethnography, photography, and first-person narrative, Daniel Campo probes this accidental playground, allowing those who created it to share and examine their own narratives, perspectives, and conflicts. The multiple constituencies of this waterfront were surprisingly diverse, their stories colorful and provocative. When taken together, Campo argues, they suggest a radical reimagining of urban parks and public spaces, and the practices by which they are created and maintained. The Accidental Playground, which treats readers to an utterly compelling story, is an exciting and distinctive contribution to the growing literature on unplanned spaces and practices in cities today. This book explores the remarkable landscape created by individuals and small groups who occupied and rebuilt an abandoned Brooklyn waterfront in Williamsburg. Without formal authority, capital, professional assistance, grand vision, consensus, or coordination with each other, these "vernacular" builders transformed a vacated waterfront railroad yard into a unique setting for recreation and creative endeavor. With the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop, the collapsing piers, eroded bulkhead, and remaining building foundations of the former Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal (BEDT) became the raw materials for various forms of waterside leisure and social spaces. Lacking predetermined rules governing its use, this waterfront evolved into the home turf for unusual and sometimes spectacular recreational, social, and creative subcultures. These included skateboarders who built a short-lived, but nationally renowned skatepark; a twenty-five-piece "public" marching band, fire performance troupes, and a variety of artists, photographers, and filmmakers. At the same time the site also served basic recreational needs of local residents. Collapsing piers became great places to catch fish, sunbathe, or take in the Manhattan skyline; the foundation of a demolished warehouse became an ideal place to practice music or skateboard; rubble-strewn earth became a compelling setting for film and fashion shoots; broken bulkhead became a beach; and thick patches of weeds dotted by ailanthus trees became a jungle. Drawing on a rich mix of documentary strategies including observation, ethnography, photography, and first-person narrative, the author probes this accidental playground, allowing those who created it to share and examine their own narratives, perspectives, and conflicts. The multiple constituencies of this Williamsburg waterfront were surprisingly diverse, their stories colorful and provocative. When taken together, Campo argues, they suggest a radical reimagining of urban public space, the waterfront, and the practices by which they are created and maintained. This book, which treats readers to an utterly compelling story, is an exciting and distinctive contribution to the growing literature on the unplanned and the undesigned spaces and activities in cities. -- Provided by publisher Highly illustrated and artfully researched, the book will draw readers into a unique space in one of New York City's most popular boroughs. The Accidental Playground explores the remarkable landscape created by individuals and small groups who occupied and rebuilt an abandoned Brooklyn waterfront. While local residents, activists, garbage haulers, real estate developers, speculators, and two city administrations fought over the fate of the former Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal (BEDT), others simply took to this decaying edge, transforming it into a unique venue for leisure, creative, and e