East River Park Renovation Upsets Neighbors

In November 2020 New York City and state officials announced a plan to rebuild East River Park to prevent the kind of flooding that occurred during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The renovation will raise the level of the park and install a sea wall underneath. “The whole cost is approximately $1.5 billion,” said Jeffrey Margolies, New York City’s executive director of intergovernmental and community affairs.

The project aims to protect the park and communities along 2.4 miles of the East Side waterfront from Montgomery Street to East 25^th Street. The city planned the renovation in three phrases that will leave small spaces open for the public. But many local residents aren’t happy about the decision. “I think that if they could’ve sectioned the park off in a different way while keeping more parts open to the public then that would’ve been a big help to the community,” said resident Alberto Vargas.

With most areas closed, the community only has access to small portions of the park. Parts that are open include baseball fields and paths where people jog and bike. “Understanding that any closure of the park is impactful for this community, what we tried to do is we were keeping 42% of the park areass open all the time. So that means providing recreational opportunities to folks in the open areas . . . and working with the parks department,” Margolies said.

But neighborhood people like Jessica Stuart aren’t happy. She isn’t able to do the things that she enjoyed. “I think it’s real sad,” she said. “I used to ride my bike every day here. My routine was, I would get up, and I would come over here. I would then ride my bike all the way from Montgomery Street and stop at 23rd Street.”

Some said that the closure of the park and the construction has had an impact on kids. “It’s obvious when kids go to the park there’s no place for fresh air. No place to go, and nowhere to have fun at,” said Tonto Cabrera, a local resident. Cabrera also pointed to the trees that were removed and the loss of habitat for birds and squirrels “It’s the worst thing that has ever happened to the park,” he said.

The work right now is in the area of Houston Street approximately to the end of the park at Montgomery Street. It involves drainage, sewers, and some possible upgrades to Con Ed facilities. The construction team said they are also taking steps to make sure that people don’t lose power in their homes.

There is criticism about the timing of the project. Michael Vargas, an Eastsider, said, “I think that they should’ve started this projected a long time ago, but unfortunately the only want to fix things after they break. So, if the flood never happened then they wouldn’t be doing any of this work.”

Still others are more forgiving and see the benefits. “It’s going to be a new park. It’s going to be a higher elevation,” said Chuchu Cruz, another local resident. “In the event that something like Sandy happens again the water won’t come over the edge as quickly. There’s also going to be new draining systems where the water won’t flood they way it did before” said Chuchu Cruz, another local resident.

The benefits extend beyond the park and people understand that. “This is benefitting the whole city, making the city nicer, but it just has to be done on time. It can’t be like the way of how the Manhattan Bridge was built,” Jeff Kurts said.

Work is expected to be completed by 2026 and then the park will have new recreation fields, basketball courts, sections dedicated to track and field, and a separate playground for younger kids. A new bridge across the East River Drive will make it more accessible. Many look forward to the new and improved park.

“I’m very excited. I’m going to come here every day and exercise with what’s available in the park,” said Evelyn Foley.