Pier 42 provides much needed recreational space during ESCR construction. But its artificial turf is shedding into the East River. by Marcella Durand For a too-brief moment, New York City discouraged the use of artificial turf near waterways. Its “Guidelines for NYC Parks” once included the following advice: “New synthetic turf or track surfacing is generally not recommended…
In the absence of birds, I counted vehicles. There were plenty. by Marcella Durand There is a new hawk in town: a juvenile red-tailed hawk that sits on trees and fences between Corlears Hook Park and the tiny oblong of passive lawn in what used to be East River Park. I like to keep an…
The cost of cutting down 29 oak trees in East River Park—just a few of the approximately 600 trees destroyed one year ago by New York City Marcella Durand In Nature’s Best Hope, Douglas Tallamy writes, “Ecologically, oaks are superior plants, and it would be easy to make a convincing case that they deliver more…
Sparse shade in the remains of East River Park means that temperatures in the former oasis are dangerously high. We need remedies. Some intrepid Actioneers braved the outdoors despite heat advisories August 9. We measured temperatures around the area of East River Park. (We started measurements at Corlears Hook Park as shown above because that’s where…
With half of East River Park’s once verdant space now a barren construction zone, the vegetation— that formerly filtered emissions from the FDR Drive, the Williamsburg Bridge and Con Edison — is gone. How will the quality of the air be affected as a result? And what can we do about it? We’re wondering as well,…
Deconstruct the video of the “Frontline Communities Coalition” rally on December 18th https://thevillagesun.com/you-dont-speak-for-us-pro-resiliency-plan-rally-slams-park-defenders and what you see is an image makeover for supporters of the De Blasio plan that is now obliterating East River Park despite wide community opposition. It is certainly interesting how speakers at the rally evade the history of this controversy with…
Decking over the highway will give us more park, flood protection and cleaner air At every community meeting in the post Hurricane Sandy planning, decking over the FDR was a top choice. Since then, Rockefeller U decked over the FDR, adding 2 acres and lab buildings for $500M. Now, as the city discusses covering sections of the…
The Appellate Court heard our arguments for Alienation. The City Attorney provided falsehoods. The State Appellate Court heard our appeal to obtain alienation (state oversight) for the East Side Coastal Resiliency project October 27, 2021. Our attorney, Arthur Schwartz, argued that building the levee for flood control is not a park purpose. The state legislature…
A quick reference guide The chainsaws and bulldozers are revving up… ERPA is seeking environmental justice for East River Park and the Lower East Side community it serves. We demand a truly resilient comprehensive flood protection plan for the climate crisis without causing destruction of the local environment and great harm to the health and well-being of the community it serves. What…
On September 20, 2021, East River Park Action formally asked the Governor of the State of New York, the Honorable Kathy Hochul, to convene an investigation into the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project immediately, especially the sewer infrastructure alterations, given that the tragic removal of nearly 1,000 drainage – and air quality – critical trees…