Credit: nostrandpark.com

Without further ado, we finally wrap up our NP survey results. The final question – what people, places and things do people consider the symbols of Crown Heights? In order of popularity (drum roll please…)

• West Indian Day Parade 30%
• Eastern Parkway 23%
• Lubavitch community 15%
• Caribbean food 15%
• Caribbean culture 13%
• BK Children’s Museum 13%
• Franklin Park 8%
• Bristens 8%
• Tom’s Restaurant 5%
• Prospect Park 5%
• Nostrand Avenue 5%
• Lily and fig 5%
• Franklin Avenue 5%
• CHNA/CHRM/historic tour 5%
• Architecture 5%

We’re not quite sure how Prospect Heights based Tom’s Restaurant and Prospect Park landed on the list, but hey we’ll take it.  Newer establishments such as Bristen’s Eatery, Franklin Park and Lily and Fig also have proven adept in catering to longstanding desires/needs/wants of area residents–newcomers and old-timers alike.  Looking ahead, it remains to be seen where these three newer establishments will feature in future editions of this poll, and how they fare more generally in this economic climate.

It was no surprise however that the first two icons people most closely associate with Crown Heights are the West Indian Day Parade and Eastern Parkway.  For some the “Parade” and the “Parkway” are one and the same.  While not often discussed in these terms, but the “Parkway Parade” is a large “tourist” draw, even if the “tourists” are New Yorkers coming from other parts of the city. The “Parkway Parade” is a one day boon for a number of Caribbean businesses in Crown Heights and central Brooklyn, and as our poll suggests, is this area’s marquee attraction.

Popularity: 9% [?]