[Updated] The first sections of East River Park set to close today as resiliency work begins; activists arrested

Photo from yesterday's march to East River Park by Jeremiah Moss

As we reported last Monday, "phased work operations" begin today in Project Area 1 between Montgomery Street and 15th St., including East River Park as part of the $1.45-billion East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) project.

So starting today, the Brian Watkins Tennis Center will start to shut down. According to the construction notice, four tennis courts on the north side and the tennis center will remain open through the end of the 2021 permit season on Nov. 21. All tennis courts and the tennis center including restrooms will be closed until 2024 — subject to change, per the city.  

According to the latest timeline from the city, leagues will be able to use the ballfields through Nov. 30. Permits for the BBQ areas and amphitheater will no longer be available after Nov. 30.

Starting last week, the former compost area was to be converted into "a passive lawn space." Per the city: "The new passive lawn area will provide public recreation space during ESCR construction. Construction will take place from mid-October through mid-November."

Our previous post has more details on what has been happening to date here ... as well as the opposition to this current plan.

Work continues in Project Area 2 between East 15 Street and 25th Street, including Asser Levy Playground, Stuyvesant Cove Park and Murphy Brothers Playground.

Construction on the East Side is expected to wrap up by the end of 2026.

Updated 10 a.m.

East River Park Action reports that a group of residents are currently at the tennis courts protesting the start of the construction here...

Updated 11:56 a.m.

We're told that the group is blocking construction workers from accessing the site ... and that the NYPD is on hand "threatening arrest."

Updated 2 p.m.

Allie Ryan, an East Village resident who's running for District 2 City Council against Carline Rivera, was among those arrested today...  (photo by @EmilyJCatalyst) 

According to one estimate, 50 officers from the NYPD and Parks Enforcement Patrol are on the scene... (photo by @EmilyJCatalyst) ... two activists were said to be arrested in the end...