NYCkayaker NY State Parks to discuss NYC greater water access.

[Erik Baard]

Ahoy'all!

I wrote the following to our friend and ally, Carter Craft. As you know, NY
State Parks has provided some access to the Harlem River through Roberto
Clemente State Park, but other desirable soft shorelines have been bounded
by red tape. Perhaps this is start of the change we had hoped would come
with the new administration in Albany? And Director Gordon is personally
enthusiastic about boating.

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Dear Carter,

Ms. Rachel Gordon, Director of the New York City Region for the New York
State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, kindly agreed
to meet with the LIC Community Boathouse and its allies regarding securing
community water access for paddling and rowing through the parks under her
stewardship.

I believe the HEP water access committee would be an appropriate venue, with
an eye to harmonizing this potential step forward with the NYC Water Trail.
I ask only that this meeting be scheduled after work hours, to allow for
volunteer groups to attend and participate.

Ms. Gordon (CCed above along with relevant community and public contacts)
remarked to me that one of the things that excited her most about the parks
for which she is now responsible is that they are primarily on the
waterfront -- Roberto Clemente State Park on the Harlem River; Empire Fulton
Ferry State Park and Gantry Plaza State Park on the East River, along with
the new East River park in Williamsbirg; Riverbank State Park on the Hudson
River; and Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve on Staten Island, for which
there might be an Arthur Kill link.

As you know, this invitation to meet is significant and a very welcome
change from the silence and frustration that marked recent years of harbor
community relations with NYS Parks, in contrast to the fantastic progress we
have made with the City.

Apart from the request for a meeting at 6PM or so, rather than during
working hours, I defer to the scheduling preferences of the MWA and Ms.
Gordon.

Thank you again for fostering the growth of these critical relationships
through the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance.

Best regards,

Erik Baard

www.licboathouse.org

www.naturecalendar.com