September Parks Committee Report for Manhattan CB3
East River Park updates and the future of Baruch Bathhouse
Author’s note: Tal and I serve on the Parks Committee of Manhattan Community Board 3 together — I wrote up this meeting’s summary. I write the newsletter Friends of New York City Abundance. This summary is written to the best of my ability. The views expressed here only represent my own and not Manhattan Community Board 3.
Community District 3 includes East Village, Lower East Side, Two Bridges, and parts of Chinatown. Below is a summary of the September 11, 2025 Parks, Recreation, Waterfront, & Resiliency Committee meeting:
Finally going hybrid
For the first time in my experience, the Parks committee had cameras and microphones set up so the public could attend and participate over Zoom. We had microphone issues though throughout the meeting.
Public Session Comments
Darcel K. commented about the need to build the amphitheater canopy in East River Park near Corlears Hook. Committee member Vaylateena J. responded, confirming that the amphitheater is completed but currently lacks a canopy. She added that East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) representative Ethan K. told her that the canopy is still scheduled to be installed.
The original bandshell was demolished in 2021 as part of ESCR.
Parks Manager Update
Luc A., the Parks Manager, provided an update on several ongoing projects and seasonal changes:
A new section of East River Park has opened, with the Parks Department now focusing on its maintenance plan, including assigning a dedicated gardener to Pier 42. A challenge they've already encountered is the appearance of graffiti in East River Park.
With pool season over, veteran employees are returning to the Parks.
Restroom closing times will be adjusted to 6pm by October (they close later during the summer).
The Parks Department will also be removing abandoned third-party sheds used for tool storage and replacing decayed or removed benches when possible.
Questions for the Parks Manager
Tricia Shimamura, the Manhattan Borough Commissioner for NYC Parks, also attended the meeting to help answer questions.
Q: How is East River Park graffiti supposed to be cleaned when three different agencies are technically responsible for cleaning different parts of it? Sounds like a difficult coordination problem.
Q: Garbage piling up from the weekend is an issue in East River Park on Mondays
Park Enforcement Patrol (PEP) is being engaged about responding to trash dumping in the park
Q: What is the status of the new accordion gates at Columbus Park?
Commissioner Shimamura says there is usually a year of design, a year for procurement and then a year of construction, so it is still years away.
Baruch Bathhouse Survey and Analysis
The local housing and community organization GOLES and the Pratt Center for Community Development conducted a survey about community opinions on what should happen to the Baruch Bathhouse site (slidedeck). The Bathhouse closed in 1975 and efforts to redevelop it have come and gone.
A working group to explore possibilities was formed in June 2024. A survey of 312 respondents (half from Baruch Houses and nearby NYCHA housing) found that 75% want the site reactivated, with only 13% favoring demolition for open space. 40% expressed a desire for youth-oriented programming. A concession site might be needed to help fund such initiatives.
Questions about the Baruch Bathhouse Survey
Q: Were survey participants told there’s no budget to redevelop this site?
No, respondents were not informed about budget constraints
Q: What might youth programming look like?
Homework help, using the pool (there was youth programming at the location before it became unusable)
Q: Why didn't the survey highlight programming for the elderly?
More community engagement is needed on this topic
Q: Is the building reclaimable?
Not without significant investment. The building is in a worse state than other buildings that have been demolished. Demolishing wouldn't happen without a funded plan for the replacement.
Parks update about RFEI for Baruch Bathhouse
A Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) is an open-ended request to community partners and contractors about redeveloping a Parks site. Parks only received one response, from Padel.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) would only be issued if Parks knew there was real intent from a contractor to develop the Bathhouse site.
Parks estimates that it would cost them $30-40M to demolish the Baruch Bathhouse. A private contractor might be able to demolish it more cheaply.
Parks Budget Priorities
Tompkins Square Park (new entrance at E 10th Street): There has been opposition to the idea. Commissioner Shimamura says Parks would never overrule community opinion. That corner of the park was originally closed off for safety reasons, but the Field House Reconstruction project has reactivated the space. Has an almost Bryant Park feel. Parks wants to make sure the area does not slide back into a zone for illicit drug use. A new entrance could ensure that by providing more foot traffic.
A committee member noted that replacing the mini-pool with in-ground pool would be a substantial investment. So it would be better to consider the situation holistically rather than constructing the new entrance by itself.
Tompkins Square Park Pool: An RFP has been filed for consultants to produce designs for the northeast portion of the Park, including the pool.
Sarah D. Roosevelt Parkhouse: work is still two years away.
Coleman Oval Skatepark and Playground: This park needs to be renovated - last time was 20 years ago
Apparently drug use around the park and under the archways is an issue. Parks said they will notify PEP about this.
Seward Park: Playground and fountain need improvements
Vladeck Park: There is unclear ownership between NYCHA and Parks, but Parks get scored for it so they still care. It has been over 20 years since the last major upgrade to this park.
Al Smith Playground: Like Vladeck park, it is also situated in NYCHA property. It has great basketball courts and community programming, but needs an elevator to make it accessible.
Lower East Side Playground: Parks just completed some renovation here.
East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) Updates
Many Project Area 1 (PA1) amenities are now open, including:
Pier 42 access
Corlears Hook bridge
Amphitheatre
Canopy is still upcoming - it is on a different timeline since it is a different contractor. No official timeline yet.
6 more tennis courts (6 were already open)
There will be a community celebration on September 28th from 12-5pm to showcase PA1 amenities.
Parallel Conveyance (sewage) work ongoing
For more information, see nyc.gov/escr
Questions about ESCR Updates
Q: Why aren't there benches (or anything) under the Williamsburg bridge?
The Parks Department is thinking about how to activate it now they run those parts of the park.
Q: When will the temporary Corlears Hook bridge come down?
Should be within the next few months. Taking it down requires full closure of the FDR.
Q: Lack of shade is a persistent complaint
Trees will need to grow out more
Brooklyn Bridge-Montgomery Coastal Resilience (BMCR) Updates
Most work is happening under FDR Drive. Still a work-in-progress. Floodgates (flip-up gates) and flood walls are a major component of this project. Should be complete near the beginning of 2027.
East River Park Public Restroom
Will be built just south of Williamsburg bridge. Scheduled to be complete by the end of 2026.
District Needs Statement
The Committee briefly discussed the Allen Street Mall Public Restroom and Baruch Bathhouse sections of the District Needs Statement. Next month’s meeting will discuss capital and expense project ranking.