The entire northern section of East River Park, including the running track, closes on Sept. 8

Beginning Monday, Sept. 8, the entire northern stretch of East River Park, from Houston Street north, will close as crews working on the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) continue clearing the land.

The closure means that the three East Village access points to the Park — from Houston, Sixth and 10th streets — will shutter, and all park access, including the track and field area and esplande off of the Sixth Street Overpass, will no longer be available to residents for the duration of the billion-dollar stormproofing, expected to be complete by the end of 2026. 

The 10th Street overpass and access closed on July 13.

The city spent $2.8 million to upgrade the running track off of Sixth Street during a year-long renovation in 2017-18.

Meanwhile, the Corlears Hook Pedestrian Bridge will reopen on Thursday, Sept. 5, reconnecting the Lower East Side to the waterfront via a new overpass. The day will also bring back the flagpole area at Corlears Hook Park, plus a batch of long-awaited East River Park Phase 1 upgrades: six more tennis courts, a new amphitheater, esplanade and seating areas, and direct access to Pier 42 and the Corlears Hook Ferry Terminal. 

This map shows the areas that will be open and closed as of Sept. 8...

The city has stated that it will maintain public access to at least 42% of the park throughout construction.

The "phased work operations" in East River Park commenced in November 2021, in Project Area 1, located between Montgomery Street and 15th Street. Workers have been burying the park under fill and cutting down hundreds of trees as part of the billion-dollar-plus ESCR. They are elevating the land 8 to 10 feet above sea level to protect the area from future storm surges.