NYCkayaker S. BX. Kayak launch in the news... S BX Harlem River Park in News!

[Harry J. Bubbins]

Subject: S BX Harlem River Park in News!


Groups pushing for Harlem River renaissance

http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-harlem0511,0,732270.story?coll=am-topheadl
ines

 Print version has less text, but does have a drawing of the site...


By Kathleen Miller
STAFF WRITER

May 11, 2007

A small peninsula of weedy, rail-line covered land along the Harlem River
could become part of the city's waterfront renaissance if Bronx park
enthusiasts have their way.

Harry Bubbins, director of the Friends of Brook Park organization, said his
group wants the state Department of Transportation to transfer ownership of
the property to a land trust operated by the New York Restoration Project, a
group founded by Bette Midler that reclaims, restores and maintains
neglected public spaces.

advertisement
"It's my hope that Department of Transportation officials will see the site
is not appropriate for any other use than as a recreation space," Bubbins
said. "This area should not become a garage or condominium development."

Pamela Governale, design program manager with New Yorkers for Parks, said
plans for the South Bronx space, which lies at the end of Park Avenue,
include a boat launch, an amphitheater space and a fishing boardwalk.

Governale estimated the project would cost about $2 million to complete. She
said the waterfront park has the backing of several public officials
including state Sen. Jose M. Serrano and Bronx Borough President Adolfo
Carrion.

"They've all written letters in support of this project," Governale said.
"It's a community of more than 200,000 people who live on the water but have
virtually no official waterfront access."

State DOT spokesman Adam Levine said it was difficult to predict whether the
agency would agree to transfer ownership of the property to any other
parties.

"There are a lot of issues that go with converting it into a waterfront
park," Levine said. Levine said active CSX rail lines running through the
site and utilities underneath the proposed parkland create safety concerns
that must be considered before any park plans are implemented.

"There are not deal-breakers," Levine said. "These are just issues to be
considered in any potential design for the park before we can go forward."

Drew Becher, executive director of the restoration project, said his group
is eager to take control of the property and convert it to recreation space.
"Having access to the waterfront is something every New Yorker in all five
boroughs should be able to do," Becher said.




Harry J. Bubbins
Director
646.206.5288 
http://friendsofbrookpark.org
Mail:  PO Box 801, The South Bronx, NY 10454





------ End of Forwarded Message