A bit of preservation amid the East River Park demolition

Photo courtesy of Skyline Restoration via LESPI 

Here's a little positive news amid the gutting of East River Park. 

In its recent newsletter, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative (LESPI) reported that the historic terra cotta ornament from the East River Park Track House is being salvaged. 

The Track House, built in 1939 near the Sixth Street overpass entrance, is part of the northern section of East River Park that closed to the public on Sept. 8 as work on the East Side Coastal Resiliency project continued. 

While the building itself will not be preserved — even after LESPI succeeded in having it designated as eligible for the State/National Register of Historic Places — the City agreed to retain its distinctive ornamentation, which was designed specifically for the park.

To make that possible, LESPI partnered with NYC Parks and Skyline Restoration. This company volunteered to remove, store, and eventually reinstall the terra cotta blocks in the new Track House, expected to open in early 2027.

LESPI says they'll provide updates as the work continues. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• East River Park north of Houston Street now closed until the end of 2026