Crown Heights block wins 'Greenest Block in Brooklyn' annual contest

BROOKLYN, New York (WABC) -- Brooklyn Botanic Garden has announced the winners of its 2026 Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest, naming Lincoln Place between New York and Nostrand avenues in Crown Heights as the borough's top residential block.

The annual contest, which is celebrating its 30th year, recognizes neighborhood greening efforts and community building across Brooklyn. This year's competition drew 139 entries, including a record 47 first-time participants.

The winning block is stewarded by P.L.A.N.T., a gardening committee that has also earned first-place honors in 2024, 2022 and 2019. Since its 2024 win, the group has mentored residents interested in community gardening and tree-bed care.

"We at P.L.A.N.T. are incredibly proud to have started this ad hoc group seven years ago. Since then, we have made a meaningful difference not only in Brooklyn, but throughout New York City. This year's theme, 'When the Big Apple Goes Green,' reminds us that New York becomes stronger and more beautiful one block at a time. Our greening efforts have brought neighbors together around a shared purpose, proving that when a community plants with pride and works side by side, the Big Apple truly grows greener from the ground up," the committee said.

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso praised participants for helping make neighborhoods greener and more connected.

"For 30 years, the Greenest Block contest has brought the best out of Brooklyn. When neighbors get outside and work together to make their streets greener, the entire community is more beautiful and connected for years to come," Reynoso said.

Perry Edwards, who has lived on the block for nearly four decades, and Althea Joseph helped lead their neighbors to transform the block.

Fashion and sports are on display, with a nod to the NBA champion New York Knicks.

"I am a semi-retired fashion designer, and I don't want to lose my passion for fashion, so I incorporated it in the greening," Joseph said.

There's something for everyone, including the tiniest tenants, like a children's garden.

"I feel so happy and so excited that something that I imagined could happen actually came to be and came alive and adds to the fun and the joy and the beauty of the block," said Meriam Lobel, the mother of one resident.

There's a "MoMA" section which pays tribute to the arts, while some displays have a deeper meaning.

"My daughter is honoring Seneca Village, which was a thriving Black community which is now Central Park, and they lost their livelihood and home and everything through eminent domain," Edwards said.

Joseph said it's more about the impact than the win.

"Some people cry because they're really sick and they need this to make them feel better, so that's a win for me," Joseph said.

Sonal Bhatt, vice president of education at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, called the competition "a beloved tradition for 30 years," adding that participants help make Brooklyn greener "one block at a time."

The contest is free and open to residential blocks, commercial blocks and community gardens throughout Brooklyn. Winners receive cash prizes and recognition certificates, while all participants receive a fall bulb gift and participation certificate.

2026 Greenest Block in Brooklyn winners

Residential Category

• 1st Place: P.L.A.N.T. (Crown Heights)
• 2nd Place (tie): L&S Jefferson Ave Block Association (Bedford-Stuyvesant); Bay Ridge Blooms (Bay Ridge)
• 3rd Place: Canarsie Carailles (Canarsie)

Greenest Block in Brownsville

• A Patch of Inspiration Garden
• Sackman Street Association
• Green Gardiens
• CAMBA Brownsville Teen Lounge

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Vanderveer Place Block Association (Flatbush)

Rookie of the Year

• 1st Place: East 91st Block Association (Canarsie)
• 2nd Place (tie): Prospect Place Block Association (Crown Heights); Friends of K Bridge Plaza (Greenpoint)
• 3rd Place: 300 Bainbridge Street Block Association (Bedford-Stuyvesant)

Sustainable Practices Award

• The Greene Garden (Fort Greene)

Greenest Storefront

• 1st Place: Hsi Ling Chang Fine Woodworking (Boerum Hill)
• 2nd Place (tie): Fishbone and Best Bites (East Flatbush)
• 3rd Place (tie): Luu's Auto Shop (Boerum Hill); Grassroots Bklyn (Crown Heights)

Greenest Commercial Block

• 1st Place: Montague Street BID (Brooklyn Heights)
• 2nd Place: Hampton, Sterling, Virginia Place & Kingston Avenue Block Association (Crown Heights)
• Honorable Mention: Rockaway Parkway Merchant Association/Canarsie Merchants Association (Canarsie)

Best Street Beds

• 1st Place (tie): Sterling Place Block Association; 95 Eastern Parkway Tenants Association
• 2nd Place (tie): East 48th Street J and K Block Association; Hampton, Sterling, Virginia Place & Kingston Avenue Block Association
• 3rd Place: Cleveland-Pitkin Block Association

Best Community Garden Streetscape

• 1st Place: A Patch of Inspiration Garden
• 2nd Place: Lincoln Road Garden
• 3rd Place: Union Street Garden

Best Window Boxes

• 1st Place: Madison Street #3 Block Association
• 2nd Place: St. James Place Block Association