Reader-submitted photos
The northern section of East River Park is now completely closed for gutting (as of Sept. 8), and nearly all of the trees have been cut down. Only a few remain, and they are expected to be removed within a few days.
A resident says that about 30 squirrels are gathered near those last trees, surrounded by dust and bare ground off the Sixth Street overpass. (The entrances at 10th Street and Houston are also closed.)
With the grass dug up and the trees mostly gone, the animals are cut off from food and shelter, per the resident. The FDR's concrete dividers make it nearly impossible for them to cross safely into other areas.
The resident took a closer look at the squirrels, attempting to relocate them to greener areas... a more challenging task than anticipated.
Fearing the animals might not survive, the reader submitted a 311 service request to the Parks Department asking for the squirrels to be relocated.
The agency quickly closed the request, saying the condition was "within acceptable parameters for park/city use." The response noted that Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) will accept injured or sick small animals if brought directly to their East 110th Street drop-off site. Otherwise, residents may seek help from a state-licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
The resident filed another 311 complaint, noting "Animal-Abuse — Other." This ticket was also quickly closed with the following reply: "The Police Department responded to the complaint and, with the information available, observed no evidence of the violation at that time."
The resident said of the squirrels, "Here they will soon be dead."
The "phased work operations" for the billion-dollar East Side Coastal Resiliency project in East River Park started in November 2021 within Project Area 1, located between Montgomery Street and 15th Street.
Workers have been covering the park with fill and cutting down hundreds of trees as part of the ESCR project. They are raising the land 8 to 10 feet above sea level to protect the area from future storm surges.
27 comments:
when I was a boy in the 50s there were b&w photos of dead american soldiers. Laid side by side. Kind of like this.
They were secret. We weren't allowed to see them.
What a tragedy seeing all those great tall trees cut down. I used to go there all the time in the summer and sit under them for the great shade they provided while looking out on the East River. The saplings they will plant in their place will take decades to grow as tall. What a waste.
What Carlina Rivera signed off on is just horrible. It’s a good thing that she doesn’t have a conscience or she might feel bad.
I have forwarded this article to some animal rights professionals here in NYC asking for their help. Maybe they have the contacts at organizations that can help save these squirrels from a cruel fate.
Are the squirrels able to climb out? I wonder if a ground level escape hole could be made with a bolt cutter?
Thank you very much EV Grieve for caring and posting this.
Yes, the squirrels, normally very resilient, are completely trapped. They cannon cross the active FDR drive nor know how to navigate the overpass walkways, especially as they are closed.
There must be an agency that can help rescue (need a good net. Have nuts).
It is urgent. Will risk violating No Trespass rules. It's not responsibility of Construction Co. but will also approach them.
It is amazing that after these years of preparation, the Parks Dept. did not think of all the wildlife living there. But that is past,
We can save the scores of defenseless creatures left, but need urgent help (yes with all the other vital issues before us). Please spread the word. Thank you.
That would be wonderful! thank you.
No. The highway is terribly busy 24/7 and there are a few high concrete dividers on the highway they would need know how to jump over in the middle of the highway, as well as the tall fences before and on the other side of the highway. On the other side is the river. to the south is acres of gravel and active heavy machinery. No safe passage anywhere.
thank you for thinking.
It's not surprising at all that they didn't consider the wildlife; trees themselves are wildlife, and the landscapers were woefully ignorant of this.
You are correct Scuba I have seen other construction sites around the city where the trees were surrounded by wooden barricades and protective safety netting to protect them while the contractors did their work around them. I do not see why this could not be done in this case at the East River Park. Probably because it was just easier to cut them all down. Tragic.
Couldn't they be relocated to Central Park or Battery Park? They're smart, they know they can't stay. A few nets/traps and nuts should do the trick.
All, in addition to us flooding 311 about this, we should also notify PETA, East River Alliance and the mayor's office
Terrible
How about Harvey Epstein who is the presumptive City Council person.
Thank you so much everyone. I did write Harvey, contacted Carlina's office, ASPCA, Police, and Parks Dept. Nada yet. Please feel free to call and write too. Today I went to the Construction site, trespassed, and said I'm going to deliver some nuts and water. Quickly was descended upon by younger workers all much bigger than I, telling me to get out, now, trespassing, etc.
BUT, it takes one person. Todd. He heard, thought and promised me he would take the nuts and gather water (said they had plenty of containers of water for the workers to access). He said he'd brainstorm with others there how they might get them through the many blocks of massive construction toward the south of park. A chance. I did post some more of the photos and a picture of Construction foreman Todd on FB (sorry), for those who dabble.
https://www.facebook.com/anthony.donovan.1840/posts/pfbid0iWxNTrfms2gUr4ydobMVXsRy4vW6XMYyEeG8DMPy9QmDhn949GmXarcaHMNEYY5rl
Thank you! Let's keep on. Thank you again EVGrieve, for this and the numerous important stories over the years.
if you get FB
Squirrels: Update.
After Police, ASPCA and Parks Dept. and local NYC Council office all said there was nothing they could do...
Went to try to speak with the Construction Company.
Trespassed past Do Not Enter and No Trespassing signs and barricades, and several on site quickly descended telling me to immediately get off the property, trespassing, etc.
I said I was going to make a delivery, and wanted to speak to someone. They are mostly all very big and younger guys, so...
But in life, it takes often ONE person to make a difference.
Todd. Todd a foreman stopped, listened and thought.
He didn't know how to get the squirrels to move south through several blocks of massive dangerous construction....
BUT he promised he would take the nuts to the squirrels. Said the workers had plenty of water that they could give them.
He was going to brainstorm with some workers, who might call him names, about enticing the squirrels to safer ground.
I took a few photos of him walking toward the few tree's where they remain, scared, bewildered. They are posted on my FB page.
Thank you Todd. Thank you EVGrieve
Thank you Anthony!
Hi Mr. Anthony, may I ask you where is this located at ? I'll go and trespass for them squirrels with no hesitation, god bless you for speaking up for the innocent lives.
Anthony-My animal rights friend replied that the head of the Urban Wildlife Alliance is sending someone to check out the site and that the Alliance has received multiple messages about these squirrels. They said there are many reasons why it is difficult to trap and introduce the squirrels into a new place including getting permits and it might be best for the squirrels to self-relocate. I guess that would mean creating a safe path with a food trail to a safer section of East River Park? Anyway, give them a call to make sure they have the right facts. Save The Squirrels!
ERPA contacted the Squirrel Census before about East River Park--they weren't really able to help then, but maybe they can help more now that the situation is more urgent, at least to relocate the squirrels. Jamie Allen
Creator | Squirrel Census
jamie@thesquirrelcensus.com
Anthony Donovan, I can't find you on Facebook. Please contact the Wild Bird Fund. I contacted them more than once about relocating them to Corlears Hook. They say that relocating adult squirrels is a death sentence (as if letting them starve to death is not the worst possible option). They don't want to give it a try and I can't do it alone so I gave up, but maybe you can try. It's a horrible situation. I've been feeding these squirrels since the beginning of the pandemic, it's devastating seeing them die like this.
Anthony, I just found you on Facebook, will contact you.
Please excuse my absence for the past few days. I am so deeply touched and moved by all those who care.
Update today, Sunday, the 28th:
all but 4 tree's have been cut. the area has been decimated. Counted about 8 squirrels left, there could be more.
Went yesterday to the Southern end of the park that just opened. there is no way these squirrels could make that long and dangerous journey.
Once there, there are mostly concrete walkways and Tennis/Basket ball courts, and small young newly planted trees with offer no food, nor shelter for squirrels. Relocating them here is also a "death sentence".
The squirrels were very hungry and thirsty, no water and no food in area. Luckily a few dedicated squirrel lovers came on their own with bags on nuts and water.
Early Tomorrow morning we hope to speak to the Construction site managers and ask them to hold off on this one small area that is left, where they have taken refuge (and under some cut trees next to it. We need them to stop until we can get professionals in to relocate them. Here they will be dead... as soon as this area is demolished.
One person asked for the location. the tiny area is by the only 4 trees standing (which may come down tomorrow if we don't stop. it is between the 6th Street overpass into the park and the Houston Street entrance, a bit closer to Houston Street.
Let try all we can to save the few terrified little ones. Cannot tell you what it has meant to feel and now begin to meet so many people that care. I view of all the other major issues you face, you care for this hidden story of a few animals.
It's not that the construction workers don't care. They have been given orders. Whomever did the reports on wildlife before this project was improved have failed us.
Let's hope tomorrow, Monday morning brings some good sense and we can get them out in the next days.
The squirrels say to you..... Love... Gratitude!
Again, I must thank EVGrieve for sharing this story. It's gotten so many aware who wish to help. From all over! thank you.
yikes. I must proof read before publishing! thank you.
Anthony, Renata here. I went to the Houston St bridge today (Monday) at 12pm and talked to a worker who was walking to the gate. The nicest guy ever. I gave him a 5 lb bag of unsalted peanuts, a bottle of water (and an empty water dish), and told him to put everything near the remaining trees.
Hello Anthony, i met u at the park on Friday as i discovered this travesty about the trees chopped down, wreckage of the park & stranded squirrels! 😔 😢 I had gone there w peanuts, id been away a chunk of summer & U let me know happened, I went to the new area of the park feeling very, very sad & saw even if squirrels could get to the part, there isn't much there for them as the new trees r very small, anyhow going by these replies, theres some Help going fwd for these sweet animals, Big Thanx all of u Squirrels & Animal caring peeps ✌🏽🙏🏽 💚 Rena
Post a Comment