Bed-Stuy aquarium finds new life, community rallies to keep it thriving
BEDFORD STUYVESANT, Brooklyn (PIX11)—A makeshift aquarium in Bed-Stuy is finding new life amid a community determined to see it continue thriving after the city paved it over.
The attraction started as a puddle-turned-fishpond created from a leaky fire hydrant on Hancock Street. Over a week ago, the city paved it due to safety concerns, much to the dismay of local residents.
“I first saw it on TikTok, and I’ve been coming here just to see it and take a peak and see what the fish are up to,” said visitor Taylor, who comes from Bushwick to visit the fishpond. “So, I was really sad to see it was gone.”
Roey Rozen is a Bed-Stuy resident who frequents the attraction.
“It’s something that was built out of pure love and pure light and pure intentions, and that’s something that’s pretty rare, and when they paved it over, it was just a very cold, rude thing,” Rozen said.
Hajj-Malik Lovick and his friends created the original aquarium in July, hoping to bring the community together.
“The kids everyday — I let them feed the fish and it just inspired me and motivates me to see how everyone loves it, and it gives me peace,” said Lovick.
Despite being vandalized over the summer, the aquarium was quickly restored by the community, which rallied together to preserve the cherished attraction.
“It really represents joy in a way for us to come together just around one commonality of curiosity really, during a tumultuous election year,” said visitor Shay Myrick. “There’s a lot of intensity. There’s hate, there’s rage, but this really represents color and life.”
Even after the recent setback, the community’s determination remains unshaken. Lovick led the charge to create a new pond nearby, ensuring the fish haven would live on.
“Tears in my eyes,” Lovick said, referring to his emotions after learning the pond was paved. “How could I do it better? Why would they do that and stop the love that we bring to the community?”
As the site has grown more elaborate, with painted benches and chairs, a tree bed has been transformed using bath tiles, gravel, and waterproof liners. The community is determined to keep their ‘Bed-Stuy Aquarium’ swimming strong.
With colder temperatures approaching, Lovick detailed plans to either install a heater or relocate the aquarium indoors to protect it through the winter. The community has raised more than $3,000 online to help maintain the attraction.