boon·dog·gle \ ˈbün-ˌdä-gəl noun: a wasteful or impractical project or activity often involving graft — Merriam-Webster
Example: New York City’s flood control plan for East River Park is a boondoggle—a $1.45 billion unnecessary destruction of a wonderful, much-used park.
Our park survived Hurricane Sandy. It won’t survive New York City’s flood control plan—unless we stop it. We need flood protection, but there is a better way.
THE “KILL EAST RIVER PARK” PLAN
New York City plans to demolish our entire park over five years and rebuild it 8-10 feet higher.
BAD HEALTH
The dust from digging up contaminated soil and adding layer after layer of landfill will clog our lungs. Our Lower East Side/East Village neighborhood already suffers high rates of asthma and 9/11 respiratory troubles. The 1,000 trees that help us breathe will be gone. We need picnic areas, ball fields, greenery and river for our mental and physical health.
FLOOD CONTROL
During years of construction, we will have no flood protection. We demand interim flood protection and a better long-term flood control plan.
BAD FAITH
The city pushed such a big, unhealthy, destructive project on a low and middle income neighborhood. Rich areas are treated differently. Brooklyn Heights raised $100,000 and quickly squashed a plan to replace their promenade with a highway.
A BETTER PLAN
An earlier community-approved design would take the same five years and give the same flood protection. The plan preserved most of our park so that it could absorb and recover from storm surges. It included a series of flood walls, berms (long hills) and deployables (flip up flood gates) along the park side of the FDR.
The city plan fails to connect flood protection with the underlying causes of the climate crisis and sea level rise. The community plan combats climate change by expanding the park (decking) over the FDR and decreasing greenhouse emissions by reenvisioning the FDR Drive as a mass transit corridor.
Save East River Park
East River Park ACTION is a grassroots group demanding a better plan. EastRiverParkACTION.org • Email: OurPark@EastRiverParkAction.org
#SaveEastRiverPark
Call and write your elected officials right away. Tell them to Vote NO on the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) plan to destroy East River Park. Demand:
- Interim flood protection right NOW.
- A better plan for long-term flood control that will preserve much of the park’s natural areas and help reduce climate change.
- We need more places to play, walk, ride bikes and enjoy trees in our neighborhood.
City Council Member Carlina Rivera
Her vote is the one that counts most. THE PARK IS IN HER DISTRICT.
The demands listed above are vital. Even if you are outside her district, contact her.
(212) 677-1077 district2@council.nyc.gov
City Council Member Margaret Chin
Her Lower East Side and Chinatown constituents live nearby and use and love the park. year-round. Her vote counts. Besides the demands above, tell her we need faster completion of Pier 42, and free ferry service from Corlears Hook to Governors Island.
212-788-7259 mguerra@council.nyc.gov
City Council Member Keith Powers
His district is north of East River Park. His constituents use the park. His vote counts. He supports the Kill the Park plan. Tell him why he should vote NO.
212-818-0580 CSTAT04@council.nyc.ny.us
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer
Tell her what you think: 212-669-8300, info@manhattanbp.nyc.gov
We could use Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Support
Ask Gov. Cuomo to advocate against the city’s plan – do not bury East River Park. Can he help us? 518-474-8390 gov.cuomo@chamber.state.ny.us
Attorney General Letitia James doesn’t like the plan. She can exert legal pressure. Ask her to advocate against the city’s plan – do not bury East River Park. 800-771-7755 email online at https://ag.ny.gov/contact-attorney-general-letitia-james
JOIN OUR ORGANIZING EFFORTS
East River Park ACTION
Visit: EastRiverParkAction.org
Write to ourpark@eastriverparkaction.org
Instagram: EastRiverParkACTION
Twitter: ERPactionLike our Facebook page: East River Park ACTION
#SaveEastRiverPark
HERE’S THE TWO-PAGE (FRONT AND BACK) FLYER AS A PDF. PRINT IT AND GIVE SOME TO EVERYONE!