The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project repeatedly affects nearby residents, even though one of the reasons the city gave for the complete destruction of East River Park was that it would lessen the disruptions. Yet, late night noise, dust, power outages, delays in toxic cleanup at Riis Houses and other problems plague the neighborhood. What…
Category: East Side Coastal Resiliency
Unnatural
According to New York City officials and some elected representatives, we need artificial turf fields more than we need to protect the climate of NYC and the earth. NO. We need more real grass playing fields and other open, natural spaces for the health and joy of more New Yorkers and for the future of…
Let It Rot
The Lower East Side Ecology Center’s compost program in East River Park was the first of its kind in the city. We’re helping this important climate-centric community group to continue. By Wendy Brawer Every bit of food scrap that goes into the drop-off bins provided by the Lower East Side Ecology Center (LESEC) at the Tompkins…
We Need Real Grass
Even the National Football League wants to get rid of synthetic turf. Natural grass sports fields would improve our environment and health as the new East River Park rises. Instead the city is installing unhealthful and climate damaging artificial turf. It is also being installed in other fields and playgrounds in our neighborhood and throughout the city and the…
HELP! Preserve the north end of East River Park AND gain oversight on construction
Sign the Petition! Four years ago, our Lower East Side/East Village community petitioned the City Council to reconsider the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) plan that would demolish its beloved mile-long East River Park and build a massive levee. Less destructive alternatives were possible. Our voices went unheard. Today, we face the consequences as the…
Public Art, or More Construction?
New sculpture adds more dystopia to East River Park An art installation, “Joined an Avalanche, Never to be Alone Again,” opened October 4 at the foot of the temporary Corlears Hook Park bridge. The piece features gravel, corrugated steel, core samples, repurposed fencing from the FDR–and asphalt. At a recent walk-through, the DDC Public Artist in Residence Carlos Irijalba…
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…
FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES AND CLIMATE
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…
Cover the FDR
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…
Stop the Destruction of East River Park
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…