GRAVESEND — Marlboro Houses’ annual Family Day, a tradition in the neighborhood for over 50 years whose purpose is getting residents, families and friends together for an afternoon of unbridled fun and gaiety, went on without a hitch on Saturday.

The event, funded by the New York City Housing Authority, took place at Sara Lee McWhite Park, Marlboro Houses’ nearby community space, drawing hundreds of residents and guests that enjoyed the day eating, playing, socializing and listening to live music.

Angie Herrera, president of the Marlboro Houses Tenants Association, who is responsible for organizing the event, said, “It shows we are here for our community, and we appreciate our tenants.” 

“It’s a nice way to bond, get to know your neighbors, and bring the family out,” Herrera said. 

There were also a number of organizations that attended Family Day, including HeartShare Human Services, a group that empowers children and adults with disabilities; Liakas Law, P.C., a New York City-based, family-run, litigation and personal injury practice; Green Space Connections;  Trinity Tabernacle of Gravesend; the Marlboro Senior Center; TDX Construction; NYC South Brooklyn Health; the Department of Design and Construction, a capital construction project manager; and the Community Driving Program driving school.  

‘Voice of the residents’

Herrera, who is also chair of the Health Committee on Community Board 13, has lived in the Marlboro Houses for 38 years. 

“I’ve also been president of the Tenants Association here for around four years, and before that I was vice president, so I’d say I know the area and the way things work around here pretty well,” Herrera said, adding that she often refers to herself as “the voice of the residents” in the neighborhood. 

Herrera pointed out that the Marlboro Houses are a lot safer today than they were many decades ago. 

“Things have really changed and improved quite a bit over time. I feel we are in a good place right now,” Herrera said. Family Day went swimmingly, according to Herrera. 

“People were really appreciative, and everyone had a great time,” she said, noting that a lot of preparation and planning goes into this one day. “It probably takes about a month to get things together, but it’s a rewarding experience.” 

One of the more memorable moments from Family Day this year for Herrera was the feedback she received from the young people in the complex.

“Kids were coming to me, hugging me and showing love, and that was special,” said Herrera.

Some housing history

The Marlboro Houses are a public housing project in Gravesend built in 1953 as part of the city’s urban renewal plans. NYCHA built the complex to replace dilapidated tenements with modern apartment towers and house 6,800 people, which translates to 1,800 families, or 194 people per acre.

The Marlboro Houses are the only NYCHA housing project in Gravesend, and are located on the southwest side of 86th Street, northwest of the Coney Island complex. The complex features a brick design typical of New York City in the mid-20th century, and also includes a playground.

Incidentally, developers may have chosen the name “Marlboro” to refer to the nearby community of Borough Park, although the new neighborhood received the more Americanized spelling. Some Gravesend residents even recall a time when part of their neighborhood was referred to as Marlboro.