Photos by Stacie Joy
This past July 4, EVG contributor Stacie Joy visited East River Park, documenting the visitors who were out enjoying the holiday and ideal summer weather.
If all goes according to the city's updated plans, then this marked the last July 4 along this stretch of the Park for the next four years. As previously reported, city officials, starting next spring, will close East River Park, burying it with 8- to 10-feet of soil to help protect the east side from future storms as part of the East Side Coastal Resiliency project.
The controversial plan is currently winding through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. Community Board 3 recently signed off on the project, though with a list of conditions. (On Monday, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer asked city officials for a 60-day delay for the City Planning Commission hearing to address unanswered questions about the project.)
Stacie noted there was some misinformation about the city's plan from a few of the people she talked with in East River Park, including the length of the closure (one person said 10 to 15 years, which, well...). Another person thought that East River Park was closing for good. Overall, though, Stacie reported that there was a positive, low-key vibe along the waterfront on this July 4 holiday.
13 comments:
everybody looks so happy and smiling! it's a rare photographer who can bring out the best in people! thanks grieve and stacie joy for this feature!
Great photos Stacie!
I believe there is a glimmer of hope for all of us in that this proposed demolition of East River Park could be delayed or prevented. Fingers crossed.
Enjoyed the photos!
Stacie, you bring out the best in our beautiful neighbors!
What a waste if this beautiful area gets taken down. Love the pix.
These pictures are beautiful. Hate to say it is pretty heartbreaking seeing the joy in everyone's faces juxtaposed to the (seemingly) inevitable destruction of this wonderful park. Really wish they could figure out a way to weather proof the waterfront without closing this entire park down. My dog is going to miss our long walks here.
ERP is dearer to me than I care to admit. Not only is it ours, there's nothing comes close to it in the city. The boardwalk is unparalleled. Fuck city government.
Thank you so much for this beautiful photo essay!
Great pics thanks for posting. I am often in the park sitting on the same benches looking out at the river while relaxing. It will be a real shame when they close the park for 3 to 4 years for some massive, wasteful and unnecessary reconstruction project.
Thank you for this post. Today I’m writing public officials to reconsider shutting down East River Park, I’m going to advocate for ahuttibg down the park in sections. My family goes to this park at least four days a week for the free Parks Dept sports classes as well as enjoyment and safely bicycling to Governors Island Port Ferry terminal.
Everyone, let’s unite and save East River Park before it’s too late! Write & mail your letters today, start a petition....Shame on us for what happened to m14D & A bus routes. We can’t let the City take away East River Park from us! NY Post, we need you! Be a thorn in DeBlasio’s side!
Thanks for sharing- please keep us updated on community activities to work with the city on changing the new park proposal to something more community oriented for human health (social, physical & psychological) & environmental health- perhaps tweaks to the earlier proposal
Amen
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