Coney Island locals gathered this weekend to celebrate the new naming of a popular street in memory of Charlotte L. Taylor, reports The Brooklyn Paper.
The new sign was installed Saturday, Aug. 20 at the corner of Mermaid Avenue and West 28th Street, near Taylor’s former church. She was a beloved member of the community and to many the sign is just a small token of appreciation for Taylor's life and legacy.
“In her spare time, while she was retired she would visit P.S. 188 to have story time with kindergarteners, and Junior High School 303 to help and do Arts & Crafts,” said local Councilmember Ari Kagan, whose office spearheaded the co-naming. “To acknowledge her service and love for the Coney Island Community, she was honored on the Arts Wall in Coney Island Amusement Park. Mrs. Taylor’s life, legacy, and planted seeds have left a lasting impact in the Coney Island community.”
Taylor relocated to Brooklyn from Harlem where she began her teaching career in the 70s. In her spare time, she also served local groups such as Urban Neighborhood Services, the Coney Island Anti-Violence Collaborative, the Coney Island Sunday School Parade Committee, and donated her time to a number of other community projects.
“She not only was a phenomenal teacher, her passion for young people spilled over into the community. She mentored young parents and nurtured them as her own,” stated Kagan. “Mrs. Taylor loved her community and her church with all her heart and soul.”
Other speakers at the ceremony included State Senator Diane Savino, Assembly member Mathylde Frontus, Democratic District Leader Dionne Brown-Jordan and former City Councilmember Mark Treyger, Kagan’s predecessor who started the process of renaming the street for Taylor last year.
“She was a beloved neighbor. It was a no-brainer to name the street after her,” Kagan said, adding that it was a unanimous vote to approve the street co-naming within the Council.
Kagan further noted that the ceremony was passionate — just as Taylor was.
“She deserved it,” he said. “She was a blessing to Coney Island.”
