In spite of persistent concerns raised by community members and experts, the East Side Coastal Resiliency project has omitted crucial measures to address rainfall-induced flooding. The repercussions are now painfully evident. City officials brushed aside community members by asserting that residents lacked the expertise to comprehend the project’s intricacies. However, the absence of a comprehensive plan to…
Author: Pat
Our Health and Environment
Make it Better July 26 was our first general meeting of East River Park Action in almost two years. The last time was in October 2021 at the still-existing amphitheater. The unrevised East Side Coastal Resiliency project is now under construction. Do not despair! There is much we can do to improve our health and…
Read the Toxicity Report Here
East River Park Soil Sampling Toxicity Report Executive Summary Full Report
Big March to Save the Park
A crowd of some 500 marched from Tompkins Square Park to East River Park Amphitheater Sunday, April 18. For more photos, including all the candidates/advocates, see the photo album: https://patarnow.zenfolio.com/p551069889 Speakers Eileen Myles, MCDaniel Strongwalker Thomas, The Delaware Nation Lenni Lenape Statement from Kiara Williams, co-founder Warriors in the GardenEmily Johnson; LES land protector Rev….
Posters and Promises
An open letter to City Council Member Carlina Rivera I read in City & State that you said I was behind the “Chinzilla” poster* and another with an image of you and the mayor. I am not behind either poster nor is East River Park Action. I apologized and withdrew the social media post I…
Art Destruction
Toilets Overflow but Erasing Art Comes First The city was in a big hurry to demolish protest art in East River Park this morning. They’re in a big hurry to demolish East River Park itself. Why? A woman approached a Parks Department employee on the promenade by the amphitheater where six official vehicles parked. “The…
Unanswered
I asked questions in July. It’s September. We need action. “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” –Shirley Chisholm City Council Member Carlina Rivera and I (along with Rivera’s staffer Ivy Rosado) Zoomed on July 21. We went over many vital questions about the East Side Coastal Resiliency…
Deference to Racist Rezoning
Corey Johnson is running for Mayor. Carlina Rivera is running for a second term. Keep an eye on where they get their campaign contributions. This city does not have to continue to be owned and operated by real estate and construction. Does it?
Not One Sandbag
The city says no to Interim Flood Protection We have been asking for temporary flood barriers because hurricane seasons are getting more fierce It’ll be at least three years before the city’s massive East Side Coastal Resiliency project will have flood walls that will block storm surges. A sketchy study proved it’s not possible. That’s…
East River Park Oak Tree
(after Marianne Moore’s “The Camperdown Elm”) by Marcella Durand Dear Mayor Bill de Blasio, I choose as my treean oak that standssomewhat alonein a triangular lawn-like spacefacing the East Riverin East River Park,which is slatedto be demolishedthis coming Septemberper your opaque and confusingplans to, at some point,protect the Lower East Sidefrom floodingduring superstorms. The oak…