Christmas miracles: Joseph C. Sauer Park is back open on 12th Street

Updated: Readers report the gates were locked as early as 1 p.m.

The reconstruction of Joseph C. Sauer Park is complete here on 12th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B... and the Park officially reopened today. (Thanks to Choresh Wald for the photo!)

Work appeared to have been completed several days ago, but the space remained locked, prompting questions from community members eager to have access to the Park during the pandemic.

Local Assembly Member Harvey Epstein shared the reopening news yesterday ...

Good News: The Sauer Park project on East 12th Street between Avenues A & B has been completed, and the park will be reopened tomorrow – a Christmas present to the community!

— Harvey Epstein 哈維 D. 艾普斯汀(男) (@HarveyforNY) December 24, 2020

The $4 million renovation — part of Mayor de Blasio’s Community Parks Initiative — originally had a completion date of October 2020, though that was later changed to this month, per the Park's website. The links below provide more history of the project. 

Updated: 

A reader shared this photo from inside today ...

... and an aerial view from a week ago...

Previously on EV Grieve:

• A petition to keep the 8-foot fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street

• Year-long renovations expected soon at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street; locals want fence to remain at 8 feet

• Pols: Fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street will remain at 8 feet

A quick look at the under-renovation Joseph C. Sauer Park

Renovation work started the week of Oct. 21 here at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The Parks website lists construction as 2 percent complete... here's a look at 2 percent in the books...







The upgrades include new equipment, seating areas and plantings. The $4-million renovations — part of Mayor de Blasio’s Community Parks Initiative — have a completion date of October 2020, per the Park's website.

The schematic on the Parks website still shows a 4-foot fence along 12th Street...



On Oct. 18, following a petition drive and community concern over safety issues, local Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and City Councilmember Carlina Rivera announced a deal with the city that would keep the fence outside the Park at 8 feet once it reopens.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A petition to keep the 8-foot fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street

Year-long renovations expected soon at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street; locals want fence to remain at 8 feet

Pols: Fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street will remain at 8 feet

Joseph C. Sauer Park closed now for year-long renovation

The reconstruction of Joseph C. Sauer Park is underway here on 12th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B...



We've been reporting on this in recent weeks (see links below)...



To recap: As previously reported, while the $4 million redesign of the Park was welcome, local residents were unhappy with the Parks Department's plan to install a 4-foot fence here upon completion of the rehab. According to a petition that was in circulation, the shorter fence would "make the park less secure and an unsafe place for children to use."

However, on Oct. 18, local Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and City Councilmember Carlina Rivera announced a deal with the city that would keep the fence at 8 feet.

The renovations — part of Mayor de Blasio’s Community Parks Initiative — have a completion date of October 2020, per the Park's website.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A petition to keep the 8-foot fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street

Year-long renovations expected soon at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street; locals want fence to remain at 8 feet

Pols: Fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street will remain at 8 feet

Pols: Fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street will remain at 8 feet

[Photo by Steven]

When renovations are complete at the Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street later next year, the fence outside the property will remain the same height.

As previously reported, while the $4 million redesign of the Park was welcome, local residents were unhappy with the Parks Department's plan to install a 4-foot fence here between Avenue A and Avenue B. According to a petition that was in circulation, the shorter fence would "make the park less secure and an unsafe place for children to use."

However, on Friday, local Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and City Councilmember Carlina Rivera announced a deal with the city that would keep the fence at 8 feet.

In a joint statement, they said:

"We are proud to stand with the community and parks advocates who persisted in asking that the Parks Department recognize the safety needs at Joseph Sauer Playground. We are excited to announce that because of this collective effort, the Parks Department has agreed to keep the playground’s fencing at its current 8-foot height as part of the upcoming renovation. The voices of New Yorkers who use local parks every day must be heard when we decide how our capital dollars are spent, and we want to thank Commissioner Mitchell Silver and the Parks team for listening and addressing those concerns in this instance."

The renovations — part of Mayor de Blasio’s Community Parks Initiative — are expected to start this month, with a completion date in October 2020.

Here's a look the renovations to come...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A petition to keep the 8-foot fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street

Year-long renovations expected soon at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street; locals want fence to remain at 8 feet

Year-long renovations expected soon at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street; locals want fence to remain at 8 feet

Now that the Tompkins Square Park playgrounds are back open... Joseph C. Sauer Park is expected to close soon for renovations here between Avenue A and Avenue B...



ICYMI from Friday ... while the redesign of the Park is welcome, there is one sticking point: the new, shorter fence the Parks Department plans to install.

So Park and block organizers have launched a petition...



... which reads in part:

Part of the plan however is to remove the current 8 foot high fence and replace it with a 4 foot fence, which will make the park less secure and an unsafe place for children to use.

We are asking for your help to stop the Parks Department from removing the only proven means of securing our park at night. We have the backing of Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, Councilwoman Carlina Rivera and our Community Board.

Find the petition at this link.



According to the Parks Department website, renovations will start in October 2019 and last until October 2020.

Here's a look the renovations to come...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A petition to keep the 8-foot fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street

A petition to keep the 8-foot fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street

[Image via]

As part of the Community Parks Initiative, Joseph C. Sauer Park is scheduled to undergo a redesign on 12th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

However welcome most of the changes are, there is one sticking point: the new (shorter) fence the Parks Department plans to install.

So park organizers have launched a petition to save their fence...



Per the petition:

Dear neighbors, friends and everyone who loves Joseph C. Sauer Park. As many of you may already know the Parks Department will close our park for renovations which should last a full year. Once complete the park will feature a new design with many requested features.

Part of the plan however is to remove the current 8 foot high fence and replace it with a 4 foot fence, which will make the park less secure and an unsafe place for children to use.

We are asking for your help to stop the Parks Department from removing the only proven means of securing our park at night. We have the backing of Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, Councilwoman Carlina Rivera and our Community Board.

Some history: "Sauer Park is one of nine playgrounds that were built by the Parks Department through the War Memorial Fund, and were opened simultaneously on July 15, 1934." There were subsequent additions here in 1965, 1989 and 1992.

Find the petition at this link.

Looking for ideas to improve Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street

Invite from City Councilmember Rosie Mendez's office via the EVG inbox...

As part of the Community Parks Initiative, NYC Parks will host a public input meeting to gather community ideas for the redesign of Joseph C. Sauer Park, 12th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The Community Parks Initiative is investing new City resources in parks in communities that need it most. NYC Parks will spend $318 million to rebuild parks in neighborhoods all over the city – including Joseph C. Sauer Park.

Details:
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6:30 pm
Campos Plaza Community Center
611 East 13th St. (between Avenue B and Avenue C, north side of street)
Refreshments served