Raised East River Park Re-Opens
By Brian J Pape, AIA, LEED-AP
Between the Manhattan Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge, the East River Park opened a large part of its expanse in August.
Soccer fields, tennis courts, and other athletic fields are already open at John V. Lindsay East River Park, between the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges. Credit: Brian J. Pape, AIA.
Closed since 2012 when Super Storm Sandy flooded much of the lower-lying Lower East Side, the East River Park was targeted by city government, determined to protect its residents from the next flood. Many neighbors took issue with the method chosen, since it meant years of destroying their East River Park, fields and parks buildings, and cutting down over 1,000 beautiful mature trees.
This view looking north from a temporary overpass bridge to the new pedestrian bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge gives a hint of the 10-15 foot infill for the new park areas. Retaining walls are largely in place, nearly ready for landscaping on the park side, with a widened shoulder for the FDR Highway on the traffic side of the walls. Credit: Brian J. Pape, AIA.
A tour of the new park in mid-August started along the South Street bike path under the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Highway (FDR) viaduct and the Brooklyn Bridge, where major construction detours the established paths, presumably for more flood-resistant walls. Once past Piers 36 and 42, the new Pier 42 Park is revealed winding its walkways and trails along the pierhead and tennis courts up to Corlears Hook. This seamlessly opened up to the raised earth berms and amenities of the East River Park. The lower promenade was open for a short way, while the upper walkway and bikepath were still closed, but they are almost ready for opening. Paving, benches and umbrellas are already in place. Since further access is denied here, there is a temporary pedestrian bridge crossing over the now-at-grade FDR, ramping down to Corlears Hook Park and Cherry Street. Following the FDR west frontage road to the north gets you to Delancey Street South, adjacent to the Williamsburg Bridge. There is a new ADA-accessible bowtruss pedestrian bridge connecting over the FDR to the John V. Lindsay East River Park, where grassy knolls are interspersed with playing fields, playgrounds and soccer fields. Several tennis and basketball courts are also open. Many new trees landscape the walkways. Bicycle lanes are located closer to the FDR and some lengths are open. One area of the new promenade includes an historic brick utility building at the previous lower level, saved and integrated by ramping down and around it on the promenade, which otherwise has been raised several feet above the previous promenade.
Most of the narrow strip of land nearest the highway is still in construction, but evidence of the final product is apparent. Retaining walls in the form of corrugated steel pilings and formed concrete walls are largely in place, ready for new landscaping on the east park side, and a new road shoulder for the highway on the traffic side of the walls. There are also abutments in place for another new pedestrian bridge.
There is still work taking place but much of the park is ready for you to enjoy.
Enjoyed the new park on Friday opening! Mini Greek Theater, small stone stage, with stone seating!
BBQ grills, tables with umbrellas, grassy, spacious!
East River Park has not been closed since 2012! It was open, thriving, and teeming with local families until 2020, when, despite huge community opposition, the city closed it for destruction! Before: leafy, lush, blooming, shady. After: bare, sterile, sun-baked.