Monday, October 17, 2022

ICYMI: The new athletic fields at Pier 42

On Oct. 8, the city quietly debuted the new sports area at Pier 42 — aka Pier 42 Upland Park and Pier — along the East River. 

Construction on the much-discussed $46-million project started in March 2021. Per the East River Alliance: "It’s the first step in the long-awaited transformation of a former banana warehouse/parking lot into waterfront recreation and green space for the LES community." 

As The Lo-Down previously reported, the local planning process began in 2012 after funding was allocated from the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. 

Delays were reportedly due in part to the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, which has currently seen the closure and demolition of all East River Park amenities below Houston Street. 

Part two of the Pier 42 project, which will include a playground and comfort station, is expected next summer. (You can find more city background here.) 

The new space includes soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and picnic tables... here's a look...
While the area was pleasant enough on a crisp fall afternoon with Bridges and Brooklyn views, some residents may wonder what the tree-less, shade-less area will be like on a hot summer day (no sign of drink fountains yet either — BYOW). Some comments on an East River Park Action Instagram post compared the space to a prison yard.

For now, the new complex is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can access the amenities at Montgomery Street/South Street at the entrance to Pier 36 (former home of the Immersive Van Gogh!) ... and follow the walkway toward the north, which doesn't seem promising at first...
... and where it is from the East Village (via Google!)...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad that the city did something with this space. But as others mentioned, the lack of shade will have a big effect come July/ August

NOTORIOUS said...

It looks like the set of OZ.

Anonymous said...

Gross, barren trash. I prefer a parking lot - at least that's more useful! No trees no shade no nothin here

Anonymous said...

What, no smoke shop?

Anonymous said...

As cheap and barren as the city could make it.

dja said...

What were you expecting, Wrigley Field? Hopefully the city adds a few trees around the fringes but overall, they look fine. Can't wait to try them out!

Anonymous said...

Soon some bro will develop an app where one can reserve a tennis court, basketball court, a bench for $50 or these fields will be paywall and NFT reserved.