As Another Section of East River Esplanade Nears Groundbreak, Locals Push to Keep the Skateboarders Out
This image has been archived or removed.
Already three years behind schedule, the so-called “Package 4” of the East River Esplanade is back on track. Severe delays were reportedly much ado about archaic infrastructure beneath South Street and the lack of dry subterranean space, according to the Economic Development Corporation.
City officials provided a status update to Community Board 3 last week on the ribbon of parkline between Catherine Street and Pike Slip. Most specifically, that EDC has finally reached an accord with the Department of Environmental Protection over a steel replacement water main for the 100 year-old pipe currently there. (This was also reportedly the cause for delay behind Pier 35.)
All original components of the proposal are intact three years later; the presentation was nearly identical. Design elements include swing seating (aka “gliders”), riverside balconies over the water (“Fish Outs”), bleacher seating, excercise equipment, enclosed turf play area, and a skatepark designed by California Skateparks.
This image has been archived or removed.
Welding the clips keeps skateboarders out
The latter was a lightning rod issue, as before. Loud and clear was the backlash to the mini skate park. EDC fielded a cascade of opposition from both neighbors and CB3. Basically, they didn’t want an added enticement for skaters to descend and destroy the park amenities. The battle is nothing new, though. Locals have been fighting this for years, mainly near the Pier 35 essplanade. The city ultimately moved to weld obstructions onto the surfaces to deter grinding (previous stoppers were removed).
Opponents also noted the redundancy of the skate space given the close proximity of Coleman Skatepark two blocks north.
Moreoever, the community voiced its frustrations with the exercise equipment that’s already in play near Rutgers Street. Those units broke six months after installation, and neighbors demanded gear that matched the heavy usage.
For its part, EDC was receptive to removing the skatepark altogether and replacing with simple open pavillion space. Ideas were floated to perhaps utilize that spot for a playground or children’s area, but that was nixed. The reason being that adding any additional design elements would significantly delay the project even further.
Timetable for Package 4 implementation is ground-break by the end of this year, with an anticipated 2017 debut.
Recent Stories
There is a Rooftop Soccer Field on this Madison Street Building
The Ground is where soccer meets tar beach. Down in Chinatown, where Madison Street meets the de-mapped Mechanics Alley, beside the Manhattan Bridge, is a one-story warehouse dedicated to soccer. The Ground, which recently relocated from Monroe Street, opens later this week at 130 Madison. And with it, an indoor soccer field and rooftop pitch. […]
Revisiting the Rise of Brooks Brothers on the Lower East Side
Last week, Brooks Brothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing the coronavirus shutdown and fashion trends toward casual. Two firms are vying to acquire the 202-year-old formal wear company and inject new capital. Ergo, the time seemed appropriate to revisit the store’s connection to the Lower East Side. Brooks Brothers was actually founded near […]
Decapitated and Dismembered Man Found Inside East Houston Condo Building
The body of a decapitated, dismembered man was found inside a luxury Lower East Side condo yesterday afternoon — purportedly stuffed in plastic bags beside a power saw. According to the New York Post, police arrived at the bloody scene shortly after 3:30pm Tuesday, responding to a welfare check placed by a friend of the […]
The New York Public Library System Begins Reopening with ‘Grab-and-Go’ Service
It’s a somewhat return to normalcy for library lovers. After a four month temporary closure, the New York City public libraries are figuring out how to operate during the coronavirus outbreak. Yesterday marked the reopening of 22 branches across the five boroughs. Eight of the locations will allow for limited, grab-and-go service; patrons will have […]
Bette Midler Tweets Opposition to$1.45B East River Park Resiliency Plan
Coronavirus be damned, it appears the city is still on course to begin destruction of the East River Park this fall. And Bette Midler is not happy. “The idea of destroying parkland during a pandemic, where people are desperate for open space is insane,” the superstar singer tweeted to her 1.7 million followers last night, […]
