kharon

The good thing about Oakland Place is that there are no stoplights, so drivers can cut out some traffic here. The bad thing is that it only runs for three blocks west to east. This short street ends at Twin Parks School (because there are actually two schools here, PS 300, formerly known as PS 234 and IS 129). Oakland Place is a small street, not very wide at all, and quite for the most part because it's so short not many people drive around it unless they are local residents. I like this street because it's a quite refuge that lies between two heavily trafficked streets, East Tremont Avenue to the south and East 180th Street to the north. There are both apartment buildings and small 1 and 2 family houses. Not a bad place for a small family and conveniences are just a short walk away either to the north or south.

Oak Tree Place is a sad looking street close to one of the best neighborhoods in the Bronx. The street itself is very short; just two blocks long, running west to east as a one-way street. South of the street there is a beat up park where neighborhood children play baseball, soccer and football. The school south of the park holds practice for sports there sometimes. North of the street there are mostly houses, but the majority don't even face the street itself! Mostly they face the north-south running streets and all Oak Tree Place gets are the yards and parking areas. My advice, get away from this street; walk north towards Arthur Avenue and the Little Italy of the Bronx. You will enjoy that neighborhood a lot more with it's outdoor cafes, good restaurants and bakeries, it's a wonderful neighborhood to walk around in.

Quarry Road leads to no quarry at all; at least not modernly speaking. It does however, border a hospital, St. Barnabas Hospital to be precise. It also borders a somewhat rundown and abused looking park. Towards the southwest it ends at 3rd Avenue which is an important and very trafficked street in the Bronx. It's saving grace is that towards the northeast it leads directly to Arthur Avenue, the heart of the Little Italy of the Bronx. Park the car and take a walk; this neighborhood is great for finding authentic Italian food, made by real Italians! A wonderful market can also be found in this area, fresh ingredients, good restaurants, bakeries and more.

Grote Street is a small street that runs only about three blocks, rougly east to west and west to east. This is because it is cut off in the middle by parking lot security gates that belong to a building project there. The western side of the street heads west towards the Little Italy of the Bronx, while the eastern side heads east towards Southern Boulevard and the Bronx Zoo. The neighborhood can get a bit loud but it's actually quite nice.

Old Kingsbridge Road in my opinion is a misnomer. I don't think this is a street at all. Well in fairness it is half a street at least. It cuts diagonally from Grote Street southeast to Southern Boulevard passing between some buildings and houses. The Grote Street area has access to some parking for local residents, but the Southen Boulevard side barely has access at all; and there have been some cars parked there for years. Literally! It's saving grace is that it is close to the Bronx Zoo, so you can walk away from it very quickly and head into a more pleasing area.

Bronx Boulevard runs roughly southwest to northeast. It is a wide two-way street which gains its name north of Adee Avenue. South of Adee it is known as Bronx Park East because it borders the eastern limit of Bronx Park. North of Adee it is a two-way street as previously mentioned but it narrows down and becomes a one-way street north of Gun Hill Road. Facing northward the street is lined with apartment buildings and some small houses on the right-hand side while on the left it always has parkland until it reaches 223rd Street. North of there it becomes a slightly more commercial street and runs northeast until it reaches 242nd Street which roughly marks the border between Bronx and Westchester counties. Even though there is much housing it is remarkably quiet; a short walk is required to get to stores of any kind.

Bronx River Avenue is divided into three parts. The northernmost section is short and lies east of the Bronx River Parkway. Here the street only runs about a block and a half ending at East Tremont Avenue. It dead ends where the parkway cuts it off. It is the address to number of houses. The second section of this street lies west of the parkway. Here it runs for quite a number of blocks and actually borders the Bronx River itself. This section of the street boasts quite a few junkyards and car repair places and also a company that makes concrete. It also has many streets that branch off and they are very residential. Eventually the street curves along with the river and is cut off a second time by Soundview Park. Bronx River Avenue continues after the park but it is somewhat difficult to find. This southernmost section however is very quiet, residential full of small private houses. Winters are cold because of the river, but the summers are very nice. People have BBQ in their yards, music can be heard all around and many go fishing. This street is good for anyone, depending on which section of it is most desirable.

Bronx Street is a very odd place. It is a small dead end street not spanning an entire block. The street gets cut off before reaching the other street (179th St.) on the other side. Technically however, the street actually continues as a pedestrian walkway. I would NOT recommend walking this portion however. Street lamps are often not working and it is extremely desolate. The street borders the Bronx River on it's western bank. North of 179th street it actually continues again as a walkway bordering the river until it reaches 180th St. Again, I do not recommend anyone walking around here for now. The river bank does have a park and it is currently, as of posting this review, being reconstructed. Perhaps in the future it may be a safer, more inviting area. On a positive note, it does boast an art academy at the intersection of Bronx St. and East Tremont Ave.

Bronx Park Avenue runs roughly north to south starting at the southwestern most corner of Bronx Park on 180th St. and heading south from there. It only spans four blocks, making it a short street. There are at least three churches on this street and many houses but quite frankly it looks lonely and desolate. It intersects East Tremont Avenue and here it looks slightly better but for the most part it is not a street that gives a sense of family or safety. Don't walk around here alone at night.

Dorothea Place is quite small. In fact, it's a dead end street. It does not even complete the length of a city block; it ends before reaching the other side. The only traffic on this street belongs to the people who live here and park their cars on this small hill. What's amazing about it is that I don't think it's ever been paved with asphalt. . All the original street bricks can be seen clearly. It's a very quite place; a marked contrast from the unbelievable traffic and din that can be found just one block south on the very busy and commercial East Fordham Road.