We need East River Park in all the seasons. We need a better flood control plan. Photos and text by Tommy Loeb.
Category: CLIMATE CHANGE
LES Breathe
We have a new air and soil watchdog Air In this neighborhood with high asthma rates, we need to know what’s we are breathing now before the city starts tearing up East River Park. The East Side Coastal Resiliency project will take down 1,000 trees that cleanse the air. The demolition will release particulate matter…
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…
Soil Test
Yes, there is lead in East River Park These samples, collected by Wendy Brawer, were close to the surface. Last year, in 2019, AKRF, which “provides environmental, planning, and engineering consulting services,” had big machines drilling holes all over East River Park. They said they were doing soil tests. What was the composition of that…
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…
Goodbye Promenade
Hello Ruthless Closing Plan for East River Park The city promised it would leave 40 percent of the park open throughout construction. Here is their draft map for the 60 percent they will fence off in November. The rust-colored sections on the map will be closed and under construction for two years minimum. The recently…
Interim Flood Protection
Wrecking East River Park can wait, but the Lower East Side and East Village need storm surge barriers for the hurricane season coming up. The East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) plan that would demolish East River Park is likely to be delayed. “In New York City, which was crippled in 2012 by Hurricane Sandy, the…
Rebellion, Celebration, Suit Up
Protest with Extinction Rebellion Saturday Celebrate and Honor East River Park ACTION with Rev. Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir Sunday Get seriously legal in 2020 Saturday, December 21, noon to 2:00, Union Square (14th St. side). Join Extinction Rebellion in a protest against the destruction of East River Park. We can help save the…
Alienated
It’s how we feel and also a legal term that can help East River Park First, some background Last fall the City abruptly jettisoned a plan formed by Lower East Side residents and experts working together, to shield our community from the negative impacts of flooding caused by extreme weather events like Hurricane Sandy. They…
We Rallied. The Subcommittee Voted for the ugly, unnecessary project that will Kill East River Park.
We delivered 9,000 petitions from three grassroots groups. We have a letter signed by 34 groups. Most everyone in our Lower East Side/East Village opposes the East Side Coastal Resiliency Plan to demolish East River Park since there are better ways to gain flood control. We lost the first critical vote Nov. 4 in the…