By Michael Perlman
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| The Mayflower circa 1941 |
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| Mayflower Maples proudly pose at the Mayflower's new courtyard fountain, Photo by Michael Perlman |
The Mayflower, a 155-unit Art Moderne apartment building at 69-10 Yellowstone Boulevard was a crowning Forest Hills achievement when it opened in 1941 at an estimated cost of $625,000. Mayflower Realty Corp. appointed architects Morris Rothstein & Son to design two-to-five-room apartments with novelties including terraces, a garage, and central and outer gardens in a developing community. Prior achievements were the 1936 IND subway and the 1939 World’s Fair, boosting demographics.
Fast-forward nearly 80 years, and the maple trees in the central garden are now six-stories high. “In August 2018, work began on a renovation project intended to restore our courtyard garden to its original well-manicured 1940s state, but shareholders and residents were unaware of the scope and timing of the plan,” said Elisabeth Grace, a 12-year resident. “I noticed that the trees were marked with red paint and asked our doorman why. I was told that the trees will be cut down in a matter of days!” Leading with her heart, she founded the “Mayflower Maples,” a group of shareholders and residents who successfully petitioned management through teamwork and neighborliness to preserve the trees.
The Mayflower Maples continues to meet every 4 to 6 weeks, in the spirit of “creating a more caring and connected community,” according to Grace. The group offers recommendations to the co-op board, which has responded positively to various suggested improvements. For example, members recently coordinated the first Halloween party, where residents brought their children. Crafts and games were provided, with a small stipend from the board.
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| Maple trees rescued by Mayflower Maples & new fountain, Photo by Michael Perlman |
As for the courtyard renovation, it was over two years in the making. Phase One encompassed removing the prior fountain and dead trees. In summer 2019, Phase Two introduced a new fountain. Grace said, “It is lovely and resembles a mountain stream.” Phase Three is anticipated for this year, where the landscaper will present a design to accommodate the spared trees.
Grace explained the challenging preservation process. “I live in an apartment that looks directly into the tree branches of another part of the building. I would be devastated by its loss and could imagine how my courtyard neighbors would feel about losing ‘their’ trees too. But contracts were presumably signed, and the trees were slated to be gone in days. Who was I to think I could stop it? I was just one person!” She posted the dilemma on social media and felt inspired by the immediate support. “Friends urged me to ‘call the management company! Petition the board! Rally your neighbors!’ So I took a deep breath and called a neighbor on the co-op board. When I asked why the trees were being cut down, she said ‘nothing will grow there.’”
Grace recalled, “I laid out a case for the benefits of mature trees; beauty, shade, reducing A/C costs, flood prevention, a haven for birds and other animals, air purification, noise reduction, privacy, and increased property values. From the bottom of my heart, I said ‘If you cut down those trees without asking for input from shareholders, you will never be able to undo it, and people are going to be very upset.’”
The following day, Grace approached neighbors in her lobby, with its picture window view of red-splotched trees. She said, “It seemed from their reactions that many were surprised to have a neighbor speak to them after years of walking by without saying hello. When I asked if they knew the trees were being cut down, most were horrified.” She then compiled their contact details. “It was resolved that we should write a petition to the board to stop the planned ‘TreeAsco.’ As I was in full-blown community organizer mode, I received a text from my board member friend that plans to cut the trees were ‘put on hold for the moment.’”
Nevertheless, the consensus was to meet as a group to further discuss the issue. She explained, “We are a delightfully international group, and some of us have served on other co-op boards. Our action plan was to write and distribute a flyer to all residents, letting them know about the plans for the courtyard and raising concern about management’s failure to solicit input from shareholders and clearly communicate plans. We also included a list of ideas for the courtyard’s use and invited residents to brainstorm.” They launched a gmail account and invited everyone to join the Mayflower Maples discussions. In response, the board held a Town Hall meeting and created one shareholder committee to make recommendations on landscaping and another to compile ideas for the use of a new common room, attached to the state-of-the-art gym that they funded last year. “They scuttled the plan to destroy the trees, and my board member friend apologized to residents for not soliciting input,” said Grace.
Grace explained the challenging preservation process. “I live in an apartment that looks directly into the tree branches of another part of the building. I would be devastated by its loss and could imagine how my courtyard neighbors would feel about losing ‘their’ trees too. But contracts were presumably signed, and the trees were slated to be gone in days. Who was I to think I could stop it? I was just one person!” She posted the dilemma on social media and felt inspired by the immediate support. “Friends urged me to ‘call the management company! Petition the board! Rally your neighbors!’ So I took a deep breath and called a neighbor on the co-op board. When I asked why the trees were being cut down, she said ‘nothing will grow there.’”
Grace recalled, “I laid out a case for the benefits of mature trees; beauty, shade, reducing A/C costs, flood prevention, a haven for birds and other animals, air purification, noise reduction, privacy, and increased property values. From the bottom of my heart, I said ‘If you cut down those trees without asking for input from shareholders, you will never be able to undo it, and people are going to be very upset.’”
The following day, Grace approached neighbors in her lobby, with its picture window view of red-splotched trees. She said, “It seemed from their reactions that many were surprised to have a neighbor speak to them after years of walking by without saying hello. When I asked if they knew the trees were being cut down, most were horrified.” She then compiled their contact details. “It was resolved that we should write a petition to the board to stop the planned ‘TreeAsco.’ As I was in full-blown community organizer mode, I received a text from my board member friend that plans to cut the trees were ‘put on hold for the moment.’”
Nevertheless, the consensus was to meet as a group to further discuss the issue. She explained, “We are a delightfully international group, and some of us have served on other co-op boards. Our action plan was to write and distribute a flyer to all residents, letting them know about the plans for the courtyard and raising concern about management’s failure to solicit input from shareholders and clearly communicate plans. We also included a list of ideas for the courtyard’s use and invited residents to brainstorm.” They launched a gmail account and invited everyone to join the Mayflower Maples discussions. In response, the board held a Town Hall meeting and created one shareholder committee to make recommendations on landscaping and another to compile ideas for the use of a new common room, attached to the state-of-the-art gym that they funded last year. “They scuttled the plan to destroy the trees, and my board member friend apologized to residents for not soliciting input,” said Grace.
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| New fountain in the Mayflower's inner courtyard, Photo by Michael Perlman |
The 1941 Mayflower prospectus reads, “This building will contain a well landscaped center garden, affording a beautiful view. The garden will be well kept, and insures an inspiration for serene living.” It also states, “The Mayflower is in the original Forest Hills, where all buildings are planned and designed to blend in harmoniously with the surroundings, and give ample light, air, and comforts of living.” Grace responded, “Years ago, when I first read the prospectus, it made me sad. The garden was in a state of disrepair when the building went co-op in the 1980s and remained an eyesore until last year. It will be beautifully restored this summer and that feels great!”
Board President Janice Goldhaar, a thirty-year shareholder said, “I am happy that the plan has been revised to incorporate some of the trees into our landscaping plan. Trees certainly symbolize life. The Board invited the Maples to meet so we could share ideas. We welcome the input of all shareholders and for them to be more engaged.”
Treasurer Carolyn Harrs explained, “Our approach was to create a similar fountain to the one in our building’s front. In our landscaper’s original thought process, the huge trees were a problem. We needed sunlight for plants to grow. Now the design will have to change, so the type of plants can be accommodating to shade.”
Many improvements followed since the Mayflower Maples’ founding. Goldhaar said, “We discovered that many shareholders were looking for more communication, hearing about the process of running our co-op, and why we made certain decisions. The Board responded by forming committees, having monthly Town Hall meetings, establishing a gmail account for questions/comments to the Board. This is in addition to communication via Robo calls and paper notices that are sent to residents. We are also happy to have recently built the community room space.” It has accommodated meetings and activities such as CPR classes, the book club, and a knitting club.
Gathering on couches overlooking the courtyard, which would have been rare for residents in prior years, Mayflower Maples members had much to share. Twenty-four-year resident Iris Gretano said, “I love the feeling that our trees convey, which makes me feel refreshed. Communication brings people together and teamwork is very essential. This could not have been accomplished alone.”
Three-year resident Jenny Lugo lives in the Mayflower with her husband and baby. “When we were looking for an apartment, we first noticed the amazing courtyard and its trees, and the fact that you can see it from both lobbies is beautiful and a hidden jewel. When the Mayflower Maples was born, a new sense of community began growing with our trees. Now people are more mindful of one another and have a vested interest in the building, and hopefully we can think of more ways to harvest our Mayflower community.” She also shared her vision for the courtyard, drawing upon a point where some residents are retired. “Besides the community room activities, we are thinking about cost-effective ways of contributing to people’s well-being and happiness such as by developing a Mayflower community garden. Many of us are invested in nature, so why not provide an outlet for residents to do gardening, provide a healthy outlet, and beautify an area?”
“We can be seen as a microcosm for our interaction with life and the world, which starts at home,” said Lulu Brotherton, an 18-year resident. Citing warmth, understanding, and making new friends, she said, “Now my relationship to my building is very different from most of the time that I have been living here.” Revitalizing the courtyard further inspires her vision. “I am a big fan of public space. Everything would need to be agreed upon, but there may be ways to derive energy more efficiently such as with solar panels, a roof garden, and underground composting.”
“When my wife and I moved in 21 years ago, I was really disappointed to learn that the courtyard was off-limits,” said Phil Kalish. “Originally, the board did not release minutes and proceeded without building input, but the Mayflower Maples had an effect in encouraging the board to become more transparent. We did a survey to determine if residents would like to go outside and enjoy the courtyard, and the overwhelming response was yes. Our building has a landscaping committee, and by the time our courtyard is complete, it will be a real asset.”
The Mayflower has proven to be a quality address. Grace said, “I appreciate the warmth of our unique rose-colored marble lobby floors, decorative fireplaces, and other lovingly-restored details. Our apartments have high ceilings, arched doorways, built-in bookshelves, hardwood floors, large windows, and many closets. Rooms are generous in size.” She explained an especially meaningful perk. “Those residents who overlook the courtyard can sometimes spot Sam, our resident Cooper’s hawk, who often perches in one of the maples.”
Board President Janice Goldhaar, a thirty-year shareholder said, “I am happy that the plan has been revised to incorporate some of the trees into our landscaping plan. Trees certainly symbolize life. The Board invited the Maples to meet so we could share ideas. We welcome the input of all shareholders and for them to be more engaged.”
Treasurer Carolyn Harrs explained, “Our approach was to create a similar fountain to the one in our building’s front. In our landscaper’s original thought process, the huge trees were a problem. We needed sunlight for plants to grow. Now the design will have to change, so the type of plants can be accommodating to shade.”
Many improvements followed since the Mayflower Maples’ founding. Goldhaar said, “We discovered that many shareholders were looking for more communication, hearing about the process of running our co-op, and why we made certain decisions. The Board responded by forming committees, having monthly Town Hall meetings, establishing a gmail account for questions/comments to the Board. This is in addition to communication via Robo calls and paper notices that are sent to residents. We are also happy to have recently built the community room space.” It has accommodated meetings and activities such as CPR classes, the book club, and a knitting club.
Gathering on couches overlooking the courtyard, which would have been rare for residents in prior years, Mayflower Maples members had much to share. Twenty-four-year resident Iris Gretano said, “I love the feeling that our trees convey, which makes me feel refreshed. Communication brings people together and teamwork is very essential. This could not have been accomplished alone.”
Three-year resident Jenny Lugo lives in the Mayflower with her husband and baby. “When we were looking for an apartment, we first noticed the amazing courtyard and its trees, and the fact that you can see it from both lobbies is beautiful and a hidden jewel. When the Mayflower Maples was born, a new sense of community began growing with our trees. Now people are more mindful of one another and have a vested interest in the building, and hopefully we can think of more ways to harvest our Mayflower community.” She also shared her vision for the courtyard, drawing upon a point where some residents are retired. “Besides the community room activities, we are thinking about cost-effective ways of contributing to people’s well-being and happiness such as by developing a Mayflower community garden. Many of us are invested in nature, so why not provide an outlet for residents to do gardening, provide a healthy outlet, and beautify an area?”
“We can be seen as a microcosm for our interaction with life and the world, which starts at home,” said Lulu Brotherton, an 18-year resident. Citing warmth, understanding, and making new friends, she said, “Now my relationship to my building is very different from most of the time that I have been living here.” Revitalizing the courtyard further inspires her vision. “I am a big fan of public space. Everything would need to be agreed upon, but there may be ways to derive energy more efficiently such as with solar panels, a roof garden, and underground composting.”
“When my wife and I moved in 21 years ago, I was really disappointed to learn that the courtyard was off-limits,” said Phil Kalish. “Originally, the board did not release minutes and proceeded without building input, but the Mayflower Maples had an effect in encouraging the board to become more transparent. We did a survey to determine if residents would like to go outside and enjoy the courtyard, and the overwhelming response was yes. Our building has a landscaping committee, and by the time our courtyard is complete, it will be a real asset.”
The Mayflower has proven to be a quality address. Grace said, “I appreciate the warmth of our unique rose-colored marble lobby floors, decorative fireplaces, and other lovingly-restored details. Our apartments have high ceilings, arched doorways, built-in bookshelves, hardwood floors, large windows, and many closets. Rooms are generous in size.” She explained an especially meaningful perk. “Those residents who overlook the courtyard can sometimes spot Sam, our resident Cooper’s hawk, who often perches in one of the maples.”
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