Gallery

Neighborhood Photos

If you have a photo of Sheepshead Bay, BayFest, or a Bay Improvement Group event that you'd like to share, please email it to bayimprovementgrp@gmail.com for posting here!

Sheepshead Bay Mural

Did you know that the mural on East 15th Street off Sheepshead Bay Road was a Bay Improvement Group beautification project as part of the MTA Arts in Transit Program? Pictured here touching up the 60-foot mural is the artist, Faith Palmer-Persen.

Honoring the Firefighters Lost in the 1978 "Waldbaum's Fire"

On August 2, 1978, six members of the FDNY lost their lives in the tragic "Waldbaum's Fire" (2892 Ocean Avenue off Avenue Y, now Staples). A plaque honoring these brave heroes hangs on the site. It bears the following inscription:

To the men of the Fire Department who died at the call of duty at this site on August 2 1978

Soldiers in a war that never ends

Lieutenant James E Cutillo Bat 33 Eng 276

Firefighter 1st Gr Charles Bouton Ladder Co 156

Firefighter 1st Gr Harold S Hastings Bat 42 Eng 243

Firefighter 1st Gr James McManus Ladder Co 153

Firefighter 1st Gr George S Rice Ladder Co 153

Firefighter 1st Gr William O'Connor Ladder Co 156

This memorial was dedicated in 1995 by the Bay Improvement Group with deep appreciation to the fallen for having made the ultimate sacrifice. Our thoughts are ever with their loved ones.

Photo by Erik Lander (2004)

BIG's 20th Annual Celebrity Holiday Caroling & Toy Drive

Held Sunday, December 18 at Saint Mark School Auditorium, this year's Celebrity Holiday Caroling & Toy Drive featured musical guests such as Vince Martell (Vanilla Fudge) and his band; Denver recording artist Peg Pearl; Charlie Martinez; and members of local bands like Girls On Top, Neptune Jam, SpinBox. The event netted over 450 toys for needy area children, which were delivered that night to the local battered women's shelter.