The Backyard Time Share: Would You Spend $50 For Green Space Between 2 Buildings?

by Roxana Hernandez · August 4, 2011

    For those of you who dream of suburban backyard parties, barbecues, sleeping on hammocks and wet slip n' slide - without leaving the city, there's a place for you! The Participation Agency has made all your dreams come true with the Timeshare Backyard. But of course, private backyard space doesn't come cheap.

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    In an old vacant lot there is now a brand new 3,200 square foot green field of fake grass between two buildings up for rent in the Lower East Side. The space opens next Wednesday. The concept is simple, for $50 an hour you can rent a spot on grass for sunbathing or BBQs. Sounds exciting! Yeah, Right.

    At first, $50 an hour sounds cheap for a venue to throw a party. Well, it's not that simple. There's a max of 30 people- what kinds of party is that? Also renters are required to buy food and rent the party equipment from the the agency. The ridiculously over priced equipment will quickly make your bill sky rocket. A slip and slide, that you can buy at Toy R'Us for $23 will cost you $100 to rent, and kiddie pool, that cost $20 at Target, will cost you a whopping $200.

    But that isn't the worst part, I'm just getting there. Not only are "loud events" not allowed to go past 8 p.m but a  State Liqour Authority representative said the space will need a liquor license like every other restaurant and bar, which, they don't have yet. Yep, that's right- no alcohol allowed. And what is their definition of a "loud event"? It's NYC people, everything is loud here.

    I wonder who will be renting out their "backyard", cause some New Yorkers just love spending money on dumb stuff. As for me? I'll be enjoying my free backyard called Central Park with the rest of New York.

    Let's take a look at some other basic things New Yorkers spend ridiculous sums of money on.

    Drinks

    Beer at any bar cost between $5-$7 and a cocktail between $10-$12 when a six pack of  Stella Artois at any convenience store costs $12.  Why don't we do that instead? Well, because we want to be at the trendiest spot in Manhattan of course.

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    Public transportation

    I get it, they're making new subway lines to make traveling easier but over $100 a month to get to work is outrageous. Well, it doesn't matter cause any New Yorker will look under their couch and in between cushions for nickels and dimes just to pay for it.

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    The Movies

    Who goes to the movies anymore? Has anyone noticed the price of one ticket is almost $14- for 5 more bucks you actually buy the movie when it comes out. And if it's a date for two, that's $3o out the window for a movie without drinks and snacks. But people still go- I've gone twice this month.