Giving thanks: A final word on the stranded East River Park squirrels

On Sept. 22, we wrote about several dozen squirrels stranded in the East River Park construction zone. (Read the original post here.) 

Here, Anthony Donovan, the East Village resident who first alerted us to the situation, shares an update on what happened and offers thanks for the small victories and lessons we must carry forward. All photos courtesy of Donovan.

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Thank you so much to EV Grieve and to everyone in this community who responded. You were largely responsible for saving what appears to be a significant number of our fellow park inhabitants. Saving even one would have been a reason to be grateful, but together, we did more than that.

From the beginning, this effort wasn't about stopping construction or opposing flood protection; it was about compassion and accountability. We simply asked for a moment of care amid the chaos: to work around the remaining trees long enough to rescue the animals still living there. 

Unfortunately, that small ask met with bureaucracy, denial and dismissal. 

The city's agencies and construction managers were polite but firm in their priorities — costs, schedules and deliverables. Wildlife didn't appear to be part of the plan. Until concerned citizens got involved, the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project and the Department of Design and Construction had failed to recognize and address the very real suffering of the squirrels trapped in the demolition zone. 

As the heavy machinery advanced north, the noise and destruction rolled over what had been a thriving habitat. The last tree, the final refuge, fell on Oct. 2. We don't know how many squirrels died in those weeks, but we know it was too many. 

Requests to city agencies went unanswered or were quickly closed. Parks officials assured us that "squirrels are resilient" and would find their way out. In this case, they could not.

Still, the story didn't end there. Behind the scenes, a few individuals on the construction site quietly took it upon themselves to help. With no official directive and no fanfare, they began trapping and relocating squirrels to Corlears Hook Park, where they could at least escape the machines. 

Between Sept. 8 and Sept. 29, 29 gray squirrels were caught and released. Later, after citizen pressure and intervention from wildlife advocates, another 21 squirrels were rescued and sent to the Wildlife Freedom Foundation for rehabilitation. 

From what I could discern, this removal wasn't done by official wildlife experts, and the process wasn't perfect. But it meant that dozens of animals were spared. For that, I'll always be grateful. 

To those workers who risked reprimand to act with compassion — watching the traps, offering food and water, driving the animals to safety — thank you. You proved that even in a system focused on deadlines and dollars, kindness can still find a way. 

Determination through unity

This effort also showed the power of persistence and community. Michelle Ashkin of Voices for Urban Wildlife never stopped pushing, writing letters, and contacting officials. Arina Hinzen, director of the Urban Wildlife Alliance, brought professional expertise and insisted the city follow legal requirements for humane relocation. The Wildlife Freedom Foundation offered crucial guidance and, in the end, took in the rescued squirrels for care. 

Another thanks goes to reporter Nicole Rosenthal and the New York Post for covering the story when other outlets — aside from EVG — would not. The paper's reporting also helped shine a light on what was happening behind the construction fences. 

To the 311 operators who took the time to listen and record formal complaints, to now-former Council Member Carlina Rivera's office for helping open communication with site management, to the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare for arranging an on-site meeting, and to everyone of you who called, wrote or showed up — you helped make this happen. 

And to the one squirrel who first stopped me, who stayed by my side, as if asking for help, you changed everything. I don't know if you survived, but that moment sparked this entire effort. Because of that encounter, dozens of people came together. Professionals, neighbors, animal advocates, and even construction workers united in compassion for a few small lives most people would have overlooked.

This was never an organized campaign. There was no name, no funding, no official leadership. It started with one frightened squirrel and a few people who refused to look away and grew into a quiet movement. 

As the construction moves onward and the park's landscape changes beyond recognition, I hope those leading the city's future projects remember this story.

Flood protection matters, but so does the life that fills our parks — the squirrels, birds and people who call these places home. The lesson is simple: progress without compassion is not why we are on this planet together. We can, we must do better.

City to celebrate opening of East River Park at Corlears Hook

The city and neighborhood organizations are hosting a community celebration tomorrow (Sunday) to mark the opening of refurbished and stormproofed sections of East River Park following years of reconstruction work as part of the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) project. 

Here's info via the EVG inbox... 

At noon, join the parade over the Corlears Hook Bridge (beginning in Corlears Hook Park), followed by remarks at the East River Park Amphitheater around 12:30 p.m. 

Throughout the day, explore the new resilient park, learn about urban ecology from NYC Park Rangers, enjoy live music and performances, and attend free sports clinics. You can also learn more about park stewardship, getting involved in East River Park, information on obtaining permits, and learning the history of the Park and its resilient infrastructure.

On Sept. 5, the city officially reopened the Corlears Hook Pedestrian Bridge, restoring access to the waterfront and the rebuilt East River Park here from the Lower East Side.

For East Village residents interested in the park, this is where you'll need to go through the end of 2026. As previously reported, the three East Village access points to the park, at Houston, Sixth, and 10th streets, are sealed off. 

The "phased work operations" in East River Park began in November 2021. Workers have been covering the park with fill and cutting down hundreds of trees as part of the billion-dollar-plus ESCR. They are raising the land 8 to 10 feet above sea level to safeguard the area from future storm surges

Concern for the squirrels stranded in the East River Park construction zone

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.

Longtime resident Anthony Donovan 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 Donovan. The FDR's concrete dividers make it nearly impossible for them to cross safely into other areas.

Donovan 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."

Donovan 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.

A look at the newly opened East River Park from the Corlears Hook pedestrian bridge

On Sept. 5, the city officially reopened the Corlears Hook Pedestrian Bridge, restoring access to the waterfront and the rebuilt East River Park here from the Lower East Side.

We first stopped by on Sept. 6, though thunderstorms cut that visit short.

So we returned this past Saturday for a more thorough look at the new landscape. 

Here's a rendering of the newly opened areas, including the parts of East River Park accessible starting this past Memorial Day via the Delancey Street pedestrian bridge ...

With these sections reopened, it feels more like a park, as you can travel by foot or bike from just north of the Williamsburgh down to Pier 36 without feeling boxed in by the surrounding construction. 

Along with the new Colears Hook pedestrian bridge comes several new Phase 1 amenities for East River Park: the flagpole area at Corlears Hook Park, six additional tennis courts, an amphitheater (of sorts), an esplanade with seating areas, and direct access to Pier 42 and the Corlears Hook ferry. There's also open space with some postcard-worthy views. 

Here's a look...

The plantings are well-maintained, and the grass is carefully manicured. Still, for now, the area still feels pretty sterile — a reminder of the hundreds of mature trees that were removed when the city raised the park eight to 10 feet as part of the billion-dollar East Side Coastal Resiliency project. 

Shade, at least, will be scarce for the foreseeable future. People huddled in small patches of it provided by the new trees.

A major feature of this section is the new amphitheater, which is still a work in progress and will get its canopy later. 

This area doesn't give off amphitheater vibes at the moment. (This link has the vision for the space.)

At least the views survived...

For East Village residents interested in the park, this is where you'll need to go through the end of 2026. As previously reported last Monday, the three East Village access points to the park, at Houston, Sixth, and 10th streets, are sealed off. 

The "phased work operations" in East River Park began in November 2021 within Project Area 1, situated 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 safeguard the area from future storm surges.

A last look at East River Park from the 6th Street Overpass

Photos by Stacie Joy 

This past weekend provided one last opportunity to cross the Sixth Street pedestrian bridge into East River Park. As of yesterday, the overpass — the final East Village access point — has been closed off. 

The closure cuts off the running track, the outdoor gym, and the stretch of esplanade that many neighbors relied on for daily routines. The trees shading the Sixth Street entrance will soon come down as part of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project. 

When the work is finished — expected by the end of 2026 — this part of the park will reopen in a new form. Until then, the bridge remains closed, the gates are locked, and another section of the old park has disappeared. 

Here's one last look...

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

Photos from Aug. 31

Starting today, the Sixth Street overpass, the last access from the East Village to East River Park, will close.

The shutdown means the three East Village access points to the park, at Houston, Sixth and 10th streets, will all be sealed off. The closure also takes away the track and field area, the outdoor gym, as well as the esplanade off the Sixth Street Overpass, which will be demolished at a later date. 

Residents will not have access to this section of East River Park until the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) wraps up, which the city says will be by the end of 2026.

The running track, rebuilt in 2017-18 during a $2.8 million renovation, is among the facilities now off-limits. And say goodbye to the trees along the Sixth Street entrance: they will be cut down as part of this phase of the work.

This marks the latest milestone in the city's phased plan. The southern half of East River Park closed in late 2021, and sections have been reopening in stages.

The rebuilt Delancey Street pedestrian bridge reopened last September, along with East River Park Ballfields 1 and 2. Other amenities returned to areas just north and south of the Williamsburg Bridge on Memorial Day.

And this past Friday marked the opening of the new Corlears Hook Pedestrian Bridge. This return also comes with several new East River Park Phase 1 amenities: the flagpole area at Corlears Hook Park, six additional tennis courts, an amphitheater (of sorts), an esplanade with seating areas, and direct access to Pier 42 and the Corlears Hook ferry. (We will post a few photos later this week.)

Meanwhile, in the East River Park area near the East Village, the 10th Street pedestrian bridge access closed on May 27. Later, workers demolished the bridge overnight in July, which prompted partial shutdowns of the FDR.

And the tree-less view of the area once accessible via 10th Street...

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 began in November 2021 within Project Area 1, situated between Montgomery Street and 15th Street. Workers have been covering the park with fill and cutting down hundreds of trees as part of the billion-dollar-plus ESCR. They are raising the land 8 to 10 feet above sea level to safeguard the area from future storm surges.