Annual Battery Park City Block Party Ushers In Fall

By Maria Smith
POSTED SEPTEMBER 18, 2007

A cool wind out of the north lent an autumn air and just the slightest chill to the sixth annual Battery Park City block party Sept. 16, where hundreds gathered on car-free Vesey Street, outside the World Financial Center, to eat, play, and happily reconnect with neighbors.

“This is it folks—the unofficial start of fall and another great event for the wonderful people of Battery Park City,” Councilman Alan Gerson announced at the kick-off ceremony. 

From a dog parade to a face-painting stand to a bubblegum blowing contest and kiddie rides, the party, sponsored by the BPC Neighbors Association, featured festivities fit for small town America.  There was even a local vegetable growing contest. 

“Isn’t this a kick?” asked community gardener Miriam Kimmelman of Gateway Plaza, holding a big, red juicy tomato with a 2nd Place Award affixed to it.  “Who would have thought you could grow such great stuff on a landfill?” 

Football enthusiasts stopped by the Downtown Giant Youth Football table, one of many local groups touting their organization, to discuss the upcoming season.  “You’d be surprised how many people don’t know about our organization, but once they find out it’s like ‘Wow, can my son join?’” said Dan Lenahan, co-manager.  “This party is a great way to get to know one another.” 

For Rachel Hersey, 11, it was all about getting a chance to tell folks of both genders about the American Youth Ballet School on Battery Place.

“I’m a dancer you know,” she said, brunette hair coiffed elegantly. “But we have some boy dancers and they aren’t all that bad. ” 

Animal lovers were not disappointed as dogs took to the stage performing tricks and barked to the enthusiastic applause of their owners. 

 “We’re pretty sure they were saying ‘hola,’” said Joy Irizarry and Edgar Rivera about their two miniature pinchers Kika and Santiago. “We’ve tried to make them bilingual.”

As the “Times Square Orchestra” played Frank Sinatra’s “Summer Wind,” and residents mingled or sat before plates of corn on the cob and burgers, summer’s end didn’t seem so sad after all.  

““There’s such a nice spirit down here,” said Bill Edwards who was holding his cat, Shakespeare at the Delta Society booth, where animals trained in patient therapy were on display. “I’ll definitely be back next year.” 

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