Steps and Entryways

East 188th Street steps

East 188th Street steps

I privately call these “Halle’s Steps,” because I was walking down them when I got a call from my daughter that our beloved dog, Halle, had been chewing on batteries. It turned out to be a false a alarm, but got my attention. There are quite a few step streets in the hilly, ridged neighborhoods of the West Bronx.

step street - Elm Place near E. 188th

step street – Elm Place near E. 188th

Literally around the corner from the steps pictured above. Note the sneakers strung over the wires.

no gates at Allerton Coops

no gates at Allerton Coops

“Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.” Most of the prewar apartment courtyards in the Bronx are now defaced by heavy iron gates (typically left open, so they no longer serve a security function, but merely uglify). But the old Allerton Coops are still open. Seriously, I don’t think there’s that much worth stealing inside them. That’s probably true throughout the borough. But what landlord can justify the cost of gate removal?

Bronx Zoo, Rainey Gates  on Fordham Rd

Bronx Zoo, Rainey Gates on Fordham Rd

Speaking of gates, if they all looked like the Rainey Gates at the Zoo, that would be nice.

Bronx Zoo, Rainey Gates  bronze tortoise

Bronx Zoo, Rainey Gates bronze tortoise

Everyone loves to rub the tortoise’s nose.

Bronx Zoo, Rainey Gates,  pink granite entrance

Bronx Zoo, Rainey Gates, pink granite entrance

Marvelous color in these pink granite blockhouse entryways.