Sunset Park in Brooklyn with Joe Svehlak

When tour guide and preservation activist Joe Svehlak was growing up in Sunset Park, Norwegian Independence Day would be celebrated with a grand parade on 8th Avenue, which is now the commercial heart of New York City's 3rd Chinatown. Now there is a mosque on 8th Avenue reflecting the great diversity of Joe's old neighborhood. Join Joe for a walk up and down the hill of tree-lined row house streets in New York City's largest National Register Historic District of over 3,000 buildings. The Sunset Park Landmarks Committee is now seeking New York City landmark designation for many of its intact streets of fine middle class and working class housing constructed mostly at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. We'll discuss the campaign for landmarks and sensible development in this ever changing neighborhood. Enjoy great harbor and city views from the recently renovated 24.5 acre hilltop park. Learn about New York City's first major development of non-profit co-op housing started by the Finns in the early 1900s. View some grand civic buildings and magnificent churches, including Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which is the largest religious edifice on Long Island. We'll end on 8th Avenue where there are many choices for lunch in Brooklyn's Chinatown. Cost: $30 / $20 Members.