Johnny Cash says "walk the line"- I say- take the "L"

The Canarsie Line begins at Eighth ave and 14th street in Manhattan to Rockaway Parkaway in Canarsie, Brooklyn. At this time, it is a two-track subway from its Manhattan to Broadway Junction in the East New Yorksection of Brooklyn, but there is a short distance at the wilson Avenue stop where it is a double-decked structure with the southbound track outdoors directly above the underground northbound track. The line then goes on ground-level for mosto f the track ending at Rockaway Parkway. When you reach the end of the station you will see a network of gates that cleverly work to keep paying customers happy as they get to transfer to a local bus with no additional cost. However, be careful, otherwise you will go through the wrong gate entry and exit the station entirely. You will not be allowed back in without paying the fare.
The buses to transfer to are B42, B82, and just a block away B17. There are fast food restaurants, local pizzerias (including the oldest one in Canarsie still operating since the late sixties), a church, several clothing stores sporting kids, women's and men's garments.






Above: This is the front of the station and right next to it-as stated-is the oldest pizzeria in Canarsie- Armando's. Although I wouldn't call them the best I've ever had- I would say that it is still very good and still gives some of the older residents who have lived here for so long-
A piece of what they know as childhood.

You used to be able to take the B17 from the rockaway parkaway station to Avenue L to go see a movie at the Canarsie Theatre. However, due to theft, other c rime, and lack of business, this theatre closed down some years ago. (old favorite place to go of mine)


As you start out from Manhattan the train will br very crowded and very diverse, as usual. However, it is somehow cleaner, more lively-with music playing and sometimes a good talent show at Union Square. However, as you move down the line, you will notice that the people riding have something to them that is particular. An obvious observation as you ride is that most of the passengers are African-american. While you will see very energetic children, you will also have very tired and dreary company that just want to get home- as anyone would like to during rush hour. But it is a different kind of tired- it is exhaustion from working hard for just putting a safe roof over their head and food to eat- Brooklyn may have cheaper rents but it is still part of NYC and that means expense-especially if they work in Manhattan and need to commute. You will see that they do not wear the expensive or trendy clothes you might see people wearing from the Canarsie line start near 8th Avenue or Union Sq. The line goes through poor Brooklyn neighborhoods that seem dangerous. Before the Brooklyn-Aberdeen Station is Wilson Avenue- outside you will see a cemetary between the two underground spots and in Wilson you will see very colorful tiles that try to make the place enjoyable.

Overall, Canarsie and the other neighborhoods surrounding this particular BMT line were once considered suburbs of Brooklyn but now could be judged as scummy or ghetto-like. A place of fear and despair- a place that needs saving- but perhaps it is just a place that has been turned this way due to negligence and corporate develpment?????!!!!

To be fair, there are renewal projects going on all over Brooklyn- greenstreets, community schools, and other outreach programs are truly trying to educate today's youth in these areas and are trying to revive the wonderful spirit that was once Canarsie and the other neighborhoods.