Home | Park Slope Parents

Happy 12th Birthday, PSP!

Details: Parent Category: Advice - Parenting - General; Category: Classic PSP Discussions

PSP turned 12 this week! Wow! 12 years of Park Slope Parents! We’ve had some highs and lows, so we thought we’d look back at some of our most memorable moments....

Swingers Post (2004)

An often overlooked classic thread in which someone made a serious request to swap nookie with another couple and a fun back and forth ensued!

Starting PSP CLassifieds (2004)

Two years after the start of PSP we split into two different groups, relegating our buy/sell/trade/nanny/real estate messages to another site to make things more manageable. This is our busiest list, with an average of 2750 messages a month!

Threatened with a Lawsuit (2005)

Did you know we had to shut down the archives after being threatened with a lawsuit? Who imagined we had such an effect on the community?

4. Boy’s Hat (2006)

Someone posted about a finding “boy’s blue hat” and received a response that all because it’s blue, that doesn’t necessarily make it a boy’s hat. A wild and crazy discussion of good intentions, gender bending and more unfolded. It earned PSP some notoriety as it picked up media attention in outlets like New York magazine and Gawker!

Our Fabulous PSP Volunteer Facepainters (2006-present)

We’ve taught over 50 volunteer moms (and a few dads) how to facepaint for our Fall Festivals and Spring Flings. Factor in those face painters over 10 events with 6 facepainters over 4 hours doing 12 faces per hour and you’ve got almost 3,000 faces! And we’ve gone from great to fabulous!

Click to View Full-Screen Image

Nanny Surveys (2008 - present)

Membership fees help support this nationally known survey of how much pay, holidays and vacation, responsibilities, and has been a force in helping employers and nannies have a better relationship. Families have come to rely on this as a go to source for how they can do right by their nanny.

Career Networking (2008 - present)

With over 2,500 parents who work online and off, our Career Networking forum has helped thousands of members over the years find freelancing work, work/life tips and accounting advice, plus lots more. Plus our famous “Shmoozefests have helped make business partnerships and alliances happen in the community.

Ice Cream Ban (2012)

A classic thread where someone asked about the legality of pushcart vendors in the park, the media mistakenly cross-referenced it with a 2010 NYTimes article about banning ice cream trucks, and Park Slope parents were charged as “guilty” for being wimps.

Hurricane Sandy (2012)

Park Slope Parents showed the world how “community” is really done. Drives for towels to clothes, back packs, and food helped the hardest hit areas of Brooklyn weather the aftermath of Sandy. Even the media featured our efforts!
Thanks to our PSP members for rallying.

Pregnancy Groups (2014)

After local shop Boing Boing stopped organizing pregnancy groups, Park Slope Parents stepped in to make them happen.

Halloween Parade (2008- present)

Park Slope Parents formed the PSP Puppeteers and helped make giant puppets with the help of the Puppeeteer’s Cooperative. We’ve got a growing collection that comes out each year to march in the parade!

600+ Membership Discounts… and growing (2009 -present)

Membership has it’s benefits and we have local, growing businesses as well as big names like Zipcar discounts and free Time Out New York subscriptions. Find 'em all HERE.

Shit Park Slope Parents Say (2013)

A great video that hits the nail on the head on so many stereotypes about Park Slope parents. Don’t miss PSP making a Buzzfeed list either!

Watch the Shit Park Slope Parents say here.

PSSSP Appreciates our Crossing Guards!

Details: Parent Category: Safety; Category: Safety in the Slope

We know it's summer - but don't forget the folks who get you to school safely. Park Slope Street Safety Partnership (PSSSP) appreciates our cossing guards! Here are some photos from the 78th Precinct crossing guards.

And without their friendly faces around guiding your little one's across the street this summer, this is a great opportunity to review street safety in the Slope. Please spend a few moments with your kids to go over PSSSP's Pedestrian Safety Tips HERE and ask what would Evangelia or one of the many wonderful Crossing Guards in Park Slope advise?

Where to watch the FIREWORKS 4th July, 2014

Details: Category: News

Want to know where you can watch the fireworks in Brooklyn this year? Here is Park Slope Parents' round up of where you can catch a dazzling display of fireworks this year.

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image via here

JULY 4^th FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR AT CONEY ISLAND

When: Friday, July 4^th,fireworks start at 9:45

Where: Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk near Steeplechase Pier

What: The July 4th Firework show has been designed to enhance the July 4th event program in Coney Island. There will be a full day of fun in Coney Island with festivities for the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest kicking-off at 10am and the Brooklyn Cyclones taking on the Aberdeen Iron Birds at 6pm. The beach, boardwalk concessions, WCS New York Aquarium, Thunderbolt Roller Coaster and all other rides at Luna Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park will be open to celebrate Independence Day. To plan a trip to Coney Island and stay up-to-date on all Coney happenings, make sure to visit ConeyIslandFunGuide.com

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THE 38th ANNUAL MACY'S 4th of JULY FIREWORKS®

When: Friday, July 4th, fireworks start 9:20pm

What: The 38th annual display which begins at approximately 9:20 p.m., will also debut new shells and effects including a red serpent star fish, puffy snowballs with red and blue centers, and amber-colored glitter shells. Fans joining the revelry in person along viewing points on the water will be in for extra special treats as the fun begins with two rumbling flyovers from United States Navy F-18 jets at approximately 7:30 p.m. and a patriotic flight from the NYPD Helicopter unit at approximately 7:45 p.m.. In addition, the FDNY will return with their famed 4th of July water show beginning at 8 p.m. For more information on the 38th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks including detailed public viewing entry points and spectator tips, please visit www.macys.com/fireworks or call the Macy’s Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495.

Where - Brooklyn Viewing Points:

Brooklyn Bridge Park (piers 1-6): enter on Old Fulton & Furman Street, Joralemon Street & Furman Street or Atlantic Avenue & Furman Street.
Brooklyn Bridge Promenade: enter on Columbia Heights & Pineapple Street, Montague Street & Pierrepont Street or Pierrepont Street & Remsen Street.
The following pedestrian streets will be closed to all non-emergency vehicle traffic
Montague Street: from Court Street to Montague Terrace
Remsen Street from Court Street to Montague Terrace
Old Fulton Street from Hicks Street to Furman Street
Furman Street from Old Fulton Street to Atlantic Avenue
Columbia Heights from Montague Street to Old Fulton Street
Hicks Street from Atlantic Avenue to Old Fulton Street

Further Reading on Park Slope Parents: Fireworks Safety & Caution in the City

Vision Zero Town Hall: Sunset Park and Red Hook

Details: Parent Category: Safety; Category: Safety in the Slope

The Office of Council Member Carlos Menchaca is proud to be partnering with the Department of Transportation to sponsor two Vision Zero Town Halls for the 38th Council District. Vision Zero is the City’s initiative to improve street safety through education and enforcement. Please bring your neighbors, friends, and families out to one of the Town Halls to share your thoughts and opinions on how we can build safer streets across our district. Below is the information on the Town Halls:

Red Hook Vision Zero Town Hall:

WHO: Council Member Carlos Menchaca and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) in partnership with the Office of State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz,

WHERE: 173 Conover Street, Brooklyn NY 11231 - Gym

WHEN: Friday, June 27th

TIME: 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Sunset Park Vision Zero Town Hall:

WHO: Council Member Carlos Menchaca and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) in partnership with Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez & Assemblyman Felix Ortiz,

WHERE: Sunset Park, PS 169 Auditorium

WHEN: Monday, June 30th

TIME: 7:00 - 9:00 PM

NYC Public Swimming Pools

Details: Parent Category: Activities Advice Articles; Category: Summer Fun

NYC Public Outdoor Pools Set to Open on Friday, June 27 2014!

NYC's outdoor public swimming pools open the Friday after NYC public schools start their summer vacation. Here is important information of what to bring, where to go, and more.

What to Bring

- Don't forget a sturdy combination lock. Everything other than water, a towel and bound summer reading material is required to be locked away. You are required to lock your belongings up with a sturdy combination lock when you head out to the pool.

What Not to Bring

- Leave food, glass bottles, electronic devices, and newspapers at home (according to the NYC parks and recreation website, "unbound periodicals tend to blow around and create litter, food can be messy to clean up after, and there’s too much water around to make sure your electronics stay safe. Just to be on the safe side, we also recommend leaving valuables like jewelry and credit cards at home.")

- No floaties, If you are thinking of bringing floaties, it’s safer to leave them at home and have your little one stay in the shallow end of the pool until everyone they learns to swim (if you are looking for swimming lessons, here are PSP member recommendations for classes)

What to Wear

- A swimsuit is required to enter the pool area. NYC parks and recreation may check men’s shorts for a lining if they can’t tell if they are wearing a bathing suit. If you need to cover up from the sun, NYC Parks and Recreation recommends you "throw on a plain white shirt or white hat and you’re set. We don’t allow shirts with colors on them on the deck."

For the Kids

- Babies or toddlers should wear swim diapers

- Some recreation centers may be able to find a place for you to park your stroller, but they can’t keep an eye on it for you. Park at your own risk.

From our members:

What parents have to say about Public Swimming Pools

Where to take Swimming Lessons

Important Links:

NYC Parks & Recreation information about pools

General Safety Reminders About Drowning