January Parks Committee Report for Manhattan CB3
NYC Parks wants feedback on Tompkins Square Park renovations. Plus, East River Park construction updates.
Author’s note: Tal and I serve on the Parks Committee of Manhattan Community Board 3 together. I write the newsletter Friends of New York City Abundance. The views expressed here only represent my own and not Manhattan Community Board 3.
Parks Manager Updates
In Tompkins Square Park, NYC Parks wants feedback on a new mini-pool and basketball court renovations. There will be a virtual public feedback session on the 29th. You can register for that here.
Parks hosted successful Christmas Tree mulching events in January. Over 1000 trees have been mulched.
Parks has been receiving complaints about illegal dumping at Captain Jacob Joseph Park. The park is not in the best shape, but it is slated to get a new dog run.
Parks has been receiving complaints about unleashed dogs in East River Park and has issued summons.
Parks has a dedicated team for rat control in Sarah D. Roosevelt Park and are already at work. Rats have been an ongoing issue for the park — for example, in 2013 Kathleen Webster complained about rats at a Parks Committee meeting.
Questions about Parks Manager Updates
Q: When does Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) get involved with Parks rules enforcements (like unleashed dogs)?
A: PEP gets involved if the dog owners get combative.
Q: What is the process for reserving a field if you run a sports league (in this case, a flag football league)?
A: November 15th - January 15th is permitting season. NYC Parks has a permits office that deals with field availability.
East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Updates
The bulk of the work being done now is in Project Area 1 (Project Area 2 was completed in 2024). That includes flood walls and floodgates, the tennis building and parks maintenance building, and deep sewer installation. FDR Drive will get a lane closed occasionally as part of the work.
New work includes installing railing on the Delancey Street Bridge and flood wall installation at E. 13th Street.
Parallel Conveyance work is happening all around Lower East Side and East Village. The work at Water Street and South Street are now complete.
The East Side Greenway 14th Street Connector is a separate contract. That project is currently on track to begin in 2028 and finish by 2030.
Questions about ESCR Updates
Q: When is Amphitheater construction starting?
A: Hopefully at end of this year, 2026
Q: Do you know people are trying to hop the fence at Delancey Street Bridge?
A: (NYC Parks) Yes, we are aware.
Brooklyn Bridge-Montgomery Coastal Resilience (BMCR) Updates
BMCR refers to construction under FDR Drive along South Street (e.g. the “Purple” section under FDR Drive).
The project consists of largely above ground infrastructure, e.g. flip-up flood gates that come up with the push of a button. Also include sewer updates to handle a storm surge.
Flood gates are about halfway complete. BMCR is on track to be completed by the end of this year, 2026.