city living • Wineberries: “This is an Asian species of raspber- ry,” Brill said. “The ber- ries come out in mid-July and can be recognized by bristly stems. Find them in the thickets of Prospect Park. Steve Brill (STEPHEN REISS) He’s wild • Purslane: A succulent, purslane creeps along the ground for eats through- out the sum- mer, in parks notice- able by its BY KRISTEN V. BROWN fat reddish Special to amNewYork stem and paddle-shaped Grand Army Plaza is an essential stop in Prospect Heights. Just watch out for the cyclists (and cars). (STEPHEN REISS) leaves, which are edible. Next time you’re in a city park, those rustling leaves you hear could be a squirrel, or it might just be “Wildman” • Blackberries: “Wild Go Prospecting for fun Steve Brill, scouting for his blackberries look like dinner. commercial blackberries, Brill, 61, is an urban for- but with thorns,” Brill amNewYork explores ager, hunting the New York said. Be sure to metro area’s greatest green pick these guys four leafy nabes around spaces for things he might wearing a work Brooklyn’s fave park like to eat, and sharing the glove. They experience with fledgling grow along foragers on weekends. the edges of BY KRISTEN V. BROWN “One day in 1980, I trails and fields Special to amNewYork was bicycle riding, when through August. I passed Greek women in Across a river and a few miles Cunningham Park in Queens, south of Central Park, Manhattan’s collecting grape leaves,” Brill great green-space engineer Freder- said. “After that, I began to ick Law Olmsted bestowed his sec- discover wild foods.” • Lamb’s-quarters: “This ond gift upon the city of New York: Since then, Brill has given is a European relative of Prospect Park. countless foraging tours, spinach — the flavor is Surrounded by Brooklyn neigh- written several books on similar, but better,” Brill borhoods that include Prospect the subject and even been said. Look for a diamond- Heights, Park Slope, Crown Heights arrested for eating a dande- shaped leaf and a and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, lion in Central Park. whitish Prospect Park has the same lure as Kids cool off at J.J. Byrne Park’s playground in Park Slope. (ANDREW HINDERAKER) “You have to know what color its Manhattan sibling, but with far you’re doing,” Brill said. on the fewer distractions. price tag (and a noticeable absence nities, and it’s easy to see just what Check out these four picks underside of The adjoining neighborhoods of- of camera-wielding tourists). all the fuss is about. you can find this time of year the leaves. fer dining, diversity and tree-lined Add to the mix easy access to a amNewYork explores the ins and in Prospect Park: streets, with a decidedly cheaper staggering array of cultural opportu- outs of Brooklyn’s leafiest terrain. 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A deep peeling proces Sea salt scrub to exfoliate and polish or herbal slimming wrap to move toxins and promote inch loss. formulated with purely herbs. 100% Safe. For all types of skin imperfections. 20 amNewYork THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2010 amny.com RENT BROOKLYN ...find youtopia. • Newly Constructed • Apartments For Rent COURTLANDT CORNERS COURTLANDT CORNERS is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for 63 HPD Project Based Section Gina’s View 8apartmentsnow under construction at 890 Courtlandt Avenue, 875 Melrose Avenue and 370 E. 162nd Street in the Melrose section of The Bronx.ThisbuildingisbeingconstructedthroughtheNewYorkCityDepartmentofHousingPreservation and Development’s Multifamily New Construction Program and New York City Housing Development Corporation’s New Housing Gina found youtopia in Opportunity program (NHOP). The size, rent and income requirements of the 63 apartments are as follows: SET ASIDE FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCOMES AT OR BELOW 50% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME Brooklyn on the 23rd floor. No. Of Units Unit Size Family Size* Monthly Rent** Total Gross Annual Income Range *** Maximum Income Fitness Center • 24-hour Concierge 2 Studio 1 $596 $27,750 1 $27,750 Resident Lounge • Billiards • Urban Park Plaza 19 One Bdrm $637 2 $31,700 Garage & Valet Parking • 10 Subway Lines 2 $31,700 38 Two Bdrm 3 $769 $35,650 WiFi Access • Pet Friendly 4 $39,600 3 $35,650 4 $39,600 4 Three Bdrm $888 5 $42,800 6 $45,950 *subject to occupancy standards **includes cooking gas ***income guidelines subject to change Applicants will be required to meet income and additional selection criteria and must be Section 8 eligible. Applications must be requested by post card only from: COURTLANDT CORNERS, 303 Park Avenue South, PMB 1122, New York, NY 10010 or download at www.phippsny.org/housing_app.html. Completed Applications must be returned by Regular Mail ONLY (No priority, certified, registered, express or overnight mail will be accepted) to a post office box number, or its equivalent, that will be listed with the application, and must be postmarked by September 19, 2010. Application post marked after September 19, 2010 will be set aside for possible future consideration. Applications will be selected by lottery; applicants who submit more than one application will be disqualified. Duplicated applications will not be accepted. Preference will be given to New York City residents. Current and eligible residents of Bronx Community Boards 1 & 3 will receive preference for 50% of each unit size. Eligible households that include persons with mobility impairments will receive preference for 5% of the units; eligible households that include persons with visual and/or hearing-impaired applicants will receive preference for 2% Rents Starting at $1,864* of the units; and eligible City of New York Municipal employees will receive a 5% preference. Call for Specials! No Broker’s Fee or Application Fee Should Be Paid At Anytime in Connection With These Applications. MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, Mayor 866-408-4811 The City of New York Department of www.avalonyoutopia.com Housing Preservation and Development RAFAEL E. CESTERO, Commissioner MARC JAHR, President-NYCHDC www.nyc.gov/housing *Rents subject to change. amny.com THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2010 amNewYork 21 INCOMPARABLE city living RENTAL VALUES! Prospect Heights RENT BUY Ten years ago, Prospect Heights PARKCHESTER evoked nicknames such as HoSloFu- 177 STREET • NO BROKER FEE gee (Home for Slope Refugees), but $1,999 $509,000 the neighborhood has become one of Brand-new two- Two-bedroom condo 1, 2 AND 3 BEDROOM Brooklyn’s most desirable areas. bedroom with at Washington and St. Home to 19th-century brownstones backyard and roof Marks avenues with a APARTMENTS as well as newly built luxury condos, access at Park Place at roof deck and gym. it’s hard to mention Prospect Heights Grand Avenue. (MYSPACE NYC, 614-406-5995) 1BEDROOM without discussing Bruce Ratner’s con- $ per troversial Atlantic Yards project, which APTS mo is likely to alter the feel of parts of the AS LOW AS 935 neighborhood. SHOP 1 of a Find, NYC EAT 633 Vanderbilt Ave., BIG $ per Franny’s 718-789-2008 2BRAPTS mo 295 Flatbush Ave., You won’t find Salvation Army steals at 1 of AS LOW AS 1300 718-230-0221 a Find, but you will find a gorgeous, hand- Franny’s is Prospect Heights’ answer to des- picked collection of women’s wear, perfectly BIGGER tination dining. The pizza is storied — but not edited by owner Honey Moon. Find afford- $ per in the way that a great Neapolitan pie is. With able Marc Jacobs or mod disco dresses. Just 3BRAPTS mo seasonal ingredients, inventive combinations remember: It’s one of a find. AS LOW AS 1600 and the airiest crust you’ll ever taste, Franny’s QUALIFIED ROOMMATES OK TO SHARE! is a true revelation. SEE IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY! Brooklyn Museum THESE ARE LARGE APARTMENTS WITH GREAT DRINK 200 Eastern Parkway, FEATURES AND AMENITIES • FiOS Available! The Vanderbilt 718-638-5000 PARKCHESTER IS A MODERN MIRACLE OF AFFORDABLE 570 Vanderbilt Ave., Second only to the Met in size, the Brook- LIVING WITH 129 ACRES OF LAWNS, SHADE TREES, FLOWER 718-623-0570 lyn Museum’s whopping 560,000 square BEDS, PLAYGROUNDS, BALLFIELDS & 24 HOUR SECURITY. An entirely successful attempt at classy cock- Nicholas Bennett, 22, pours a cocktail feet holds roughly 1.5 million works of art, See our model apts and our Premier apartment collection tails by Michelin-starred chef Saul Bolton of at The Vanderbilt. (STEPHEN REISS) including an impressive collection of ancient FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO OUR OPEN HOUSE CALL Saul, The Vanderbilt is the perfect place to Egyptian antiquities and American art. Drop while away a steamy afternoon. Sit at the bar, and elderflower) or the Glyda Rose (gin, cam- in on the first Saturday of every month for Tues & Thurs 5:30pm-7:45pm Sat 9am-12:45pm 718-412-4641 order a fabulous cocktail such as The Opti- pari, blood orange, champagne) and return to a free party with dancing, performances and mist’s Daughter (vodka, Lillet Blanc, lemon a more refined time.