Huge new park coming to Jamaica Bay

From Brooklyn Daily:

The site of some old trash will soon be Brooklyn’s latest treasure.

Gov. Cuomo is gifting the borough with the city’s largest state park that will occupy a massive federally owned, vacant plot in East New York that once was a toxic landfill at the edge of Jamaica Bay, the pol announced during his annual State of the State address on Wednesday.

“This new state park will be a treasure in the heart of Brooklyn, offering hundreds of acres of beautiful parkland on the shores of Jamaica Bay,” Cuomo said in a press release. “We are committed to ensuring every New Yorker can access the recreational, health and community benefits of open space, and this park will open new doors to wellness for New Yorkers who need it most.”

The state will spend $15 million to transform 407 acres of remediated land — bounded by Pennsylvania and Fountain avenues, the Belt Parkway, and the bay — into a lush green space that will be the largest state-run park in all the five boroughs. The only other exclusively state-run park in the Borough of Kings is Williamsburg’s East River State Park, which is a mere seven acres along the waterfront. And Manhattan’s more-than-500-acre Hudson River Park is managed by a state-and-city partnership.

The East New York meadow will include comfort stations, shade-providing structures, and concession stands, and park-goers can bike, hike, kayak, and fish there when it opens later this year or in early 2019, according to a New York State parks spokesman.

Elmhurst Elks Lodge may get upgrade

From the Queens Tribune:

An Elmhurst landmark will get some upgrades, but it needs help from the community first.

Constructed in the 1920s, the former Elks Lodge at 82-10 Queens Blvd. was designated a City landmark in 2001. According to Landmarks Preservation Commission documents, some of the features that earned the building its designation include a bronze elk statute at its entrance, ornate carvings around its entryway and its brick, limestone and granite façade.

Today, these designs are somewhat daunted by the current of traffic on Queens Boulevard and the crowd of neighboring buildings. Meanwhile, certain elements of the lodge are falling into disrepair; bricks have slipped out of the exterior walls and some balustrades are chipped or missing.

Nevertheless, it is a building busy with activity, and one of the several groups that use the Elks Lodge have found a way to restore it to its former state.

Last year, the New Life Community Development Corporation applied for a grant to restore the building with the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

“We thought, maybe they would throw us a bag of cement or a couple of shovels or something,” New Life CDC executive director Redd Sevilla said.

Instead, in December, Parks awarded New Life CDC a matching grant of $500,000 for the restoration.

It was “the miracle that happened on Queens Boulevard,” Sevilla said.

According to Parks spokesman Randy Simons, the grant constitutes a 75 percent reimbursement of the total project cost, up to $500,000. This means that a restoration costing $666,667 would achieve the full $500,000 reimbursement, with New Life CDC fronting the initial cost and ultimately paying the difference.

New Life CDC has until the end of 2015 to fundraise for the project.

State throws more money down the toilet

From the Times Ledger:

The state announced Thursday The Trust For Public Land won a $433,750 grant to design a roughly 1.5-mile section of the proposed QueensWay.

The Trust for Public Land, a group pushing for creation and preservation of parks across the country, applied for the grant through the New York City Regional Economic Development Council, one of 10 bodies overseen by the state.

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will oversee the $443,750 grant.

The money is slated to fund the complete design of the northern gateway in Rego Park of the proposed QueensWay.

Jones Beach getting a makeover

From WPIX:

Millions of people visit Jones Beach every year. It is a famous New York destination. And Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday the state will fund a 65 million dollar project to renovate and revitalize the beach and its structures.

The project will take several years and is expected to restore historical details. There will be new restaurants, vendors, sporting venues and an adventure play area. According to the regional director of Long Island state parks, Wayne Horsley, the buildings will be built to withstand flooding and wind.

Gov wants to buy up waterfront property

From the Daily News:

Gov. Cuomo wants Hurricane Sandy victims who live along the coast to consider rebuilding their homes on stilts or selling their houses to the state and relocating.

“At one point, you have to say maybe Mother Nature doesn’t want you here. Maybe she’s trying to tell you something,” Cuomo said in a phone interview with the Daily News Editorial Board.

Cuomo said he hopes more Sandy victims will choose to have the state buy them out rather than rebuild in areas that are at risk of future storm damage.

It would relieve the government of having to pay to rebuild the same houses multiple times.

The state will offer “fair market” appraisals of people’s properties that he expects will be “on the generous side.”

“We give you a check and you move on,” he said. “We take the property.”

'Under Cuomo’s plan, the properties would stay “fallow” — with nothing built on it.

Under Cuomo’s plan, the state would have to decide what to do with the bought-out properties. One possibility is giving them to the city or state parks departments.

If this were Manhattan instead of Rockaway...

From Capital New York:

At the end of the peninsula, where Mott Avenue dead-ends, is Bayswater Point State Park. The closest subway stop (Mott Avenue-Far Rockaway at the end of the A) is a little more than a mile away, so not a lot of people go there. It is also the only state park in the New York City region that does not have full-time, year-round staff attached to it.

In theory, it is a lovely spot. It affords access to recreational fishing and is a seasonal home for a significant variety of birds; the state park web site recommends it for “passive recreation.” It covers 12 acres, unless you count the tidal bed, in which case it is 14 acres.

What a visitor actually sees, these days, is the wreck of what was once a very nice estate.

Closed off behind a chain-link fence, across the street from a row of working homes in varying states of repair, is an enormous house that has clearly not been lived in for a long time. On either side of what looks like it was once the driveway are two brick pillars, one of which has a small cement plaque with the words “Sunset Lodge” carved into it. There’s a spacious yard to the right of the house, whose windows are covered by thick plywood, although they have been painted roughly the same pale-yellow color as the house.

Behind the big house, down where the woods start, is a smaller house that the vines have nearly brought down. This is the other side of Bayswater Point State Park, which is almost entirely inaccessible, and technically out of bounds anyway. (Visitors are not supposed to jump the fence, approach the house, or try to navigate the woods behind it. If one were to do that, one would find a network of trees struck together by thorny ropes of creepers.)

On page 3, the long time residents - African-American and Jewish folks (not "Archie Bunkers" by any stretch of the imagination) - describe how Rockaway went from paradise to dump thanks to the social engineering experiments by the City and State of New York. For those of you who think cranky old white conservatives are the only ones lamenting what the tweeders have done to this borough - guess what? They're not!

Parks reopened at the expense of the environment

From NY1:

Dozens of shuttered state parks should reopen, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

Early this morning, the State Assembly passed a bill that would provide $11 million for park operations this year.

This afternoon, the State Senate voted this afternoon to approve the measure.

The agreement reached with Governor David Paterson yesterday takes about $80 million from the state's Environmental Protection Fund. Of that money, $6 million will go toward reopening the parks and the remaining $74 million will go toward closing the state's $9.2 billion budget deficit.

The Paterson administration had closed 41 parks and 14 historic sites, including Bayswater Point Park in Queens to try to save money.

Critics say taking money from the Environmental Protection Fund will lead to drastic cuts for the Bronx Zoo and Botanical Garden, but the Assembly speaker says those institutions will not be affected.

"These are important for tourism, for recreation, all the things that make New York great,” said Bill Ulfelder of the Nature Conservancy. “To reduce this spending is devastating. The EPF has been treated like a punching bag through the budget process."

The money shuffle may solve the problem for now, but there are no guarantees New Yorkers won't be locked out of their park again next year.

Looting one fund to save another

Photo by Geoffrey Croft

From A Walk In The Park:

In Bayswater Point State Park in Far Rockaway, the two gates were already padlocked last weekend. A small square sign affixed to a pole read, "Park Closed." The 12-acre park located on the south shore of Jamaica Bay in Queens is a popular spot for fishing and family outings.

"You gotta be kidding," said Rick Hill, 39, when told how much the state would save by shutting down the park. "That's ridiculous – I mean, to close a park for $5,000. That's not even money."

A father of four, Mr. Hill said one of the main reasons he bought his house five years ago was because it was next to the park. He also fears the closed park will become neglected and overgrown.

On May 14th, The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced it was accepting a $100,000 donation from Citibank to restore services cut last year at Long Island State Park as well as to fund summer programs in Westchester and Rockland Counties. The gift will also allow the swimming area at Zach’s Bay to extend its operating season through Labor Day.

There's no subsidized NYC company that wants to donate $5,500 so Bayswater can stay open???

From Eyewitness News:

Senior officials in the Paterson administration say Gov. David Paterson will introduce a bill Monday that would keep all New York parks and historic sites open for the year including the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

But the officials say the Legislature will have to agree to take $6 million from the Environmental Protection Fund to pay for it.

The staffers say lawmakers in stalled budget talks as recently as Saturday insisted that a top priority is to keep the parks and historic sites open. Paterson sees the move as a way to address a chief concern he shares, but only with the corresponding cut he has insisted upon.

What a great idea! Let's rob Peter to pay Paul!

Manhattan park opens as Queens park closes

From the Daily News:

In a case of really bad timing - or political tin ear - Gov. Paterson cut the ribbon on a new Manhattan park Monday just as budget cuts forced dozens of state parks to close.

"It's not smart politics, and it's not good politics either," said Assemblyman Herman (Denny) Farrell after Paterson welcomed a new section of the Hudson River Park in Chelsea.

Farrell's Harlem constituents are furious their beloved Riverbank State Park was cut back by several hours a day.

"The governor should know this community is constantly concerned that they're not getting their fair share," Farrell said.

Statewide, 81 parks and historical sites are closing or cutting their hours because of the ongoing Albany budget crisis, according to a list on a state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Web site.

Riverbank has been ordered not to open its outdoor pool this summer and to slash summer concerts. Another state park in the city - Bayswater Point in Queens - is completely closed.

From A Walk in the Park:

Geoffrey Croft, president of NYC Park Advocates, questioned whether closing the Riverbank State Park in Harlem was even legal since it was created as mitigation for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant nearby. The park is very popular because it has a public swimming pool.

“It’s outrageous that the state is doing this, especially in light of the fact that so little of the state’s parkland is located downstate,” Croft said. Another popular city park, the 12-acre Bayswater State Park in Jamaica Bay, has an operating budget of just $5,000 a year, he said. “So this is clearly not about money.”

Let's see what went on at Bayswater last week...

"Hi Crapper,

I know you've been covering this pretty closely, so thought you'd be interested to hear state parks officials escorted all the planespotters and fishermen out of Bayswater Point State Park early this afternoon, padlocked it and hung a "CLOSED" sign.

Love the site, keep up the great work.

Matt"

National Park Service warns Paterson not to close parks

From the NY Post:

The Obama administration is warning of disastrous repercussions if Gov. Paterson goes ahead with his hard-times plan to close or cut services at scores of state parks.

In a strongly worded letter to the governor, Dennis Reidenbach, the National Park Service's Northeast regional chief, said the plans risked $3.4 million in federal aid and could jeopardize the state's chances for future park funding.

Moreover, the feds could claim rights to any park property closed to the public after being acquired through a federal parks program.

"The purpose of this letter is to alert you that any closure of any state park or historic site that has received [Land and Water Conservation Fund] and/or [Federal Lands to Parks] assistance would be viewed by the [park service] as being in noncompliance," Reidenbach wrote in the March 31 missive.

The letter was drawn up at the request of Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-Ulster), who has called on Paterson to reverse his park plans.

Paterson proposed closing or cutting services at as many as 79 parks and historic sites to save $11.2 million in a bid to help close an estimated $9.2 billion budget gap.

Paterson says he must proceed with the closures in the absence of an overall budget deal.

State park in Rockaway slated for closure

From the Daily News:

As part of a drastic bid to plug a $9 billion budget deficit, the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has chosen Bayswater as one of two state parks slated for closure.

If the budget, due April 1, is approved, this would be the first time in history a state park has been shuttered other than for seasonal closures, said agency spokesman Dan Keefe.

The closure would leave many city reel-casters without a fishing hole. It has also infuriated elected officials and advocates who note that the savings from the closure would be a measly $5,500 a year.

"In times like these we need our parks more than ever," said Geoffrey Croft, president of NYC Park Advocates.

The recession has forced many people to scale back on vacations, and families are instead relying on nearby public spaces for escape.

Jonathan Gaska, district manager of Community Board 14, called the closure "almost punitive."

"That's less than a rounding error," Gaska said of the $5,500 figure compared with the 10-figure deficit. "At that rate, you would have to close 20,000 parks this size."

But state officials said every penny adds up.

I'm sure the fact that it's located in a not-wealthy black neighborhood has nothing to do with the decision. Since they only put $5,500 into maintenance of this site to begin with shows you how much they care about it.

Bayswater State Park to close

From Crains:

New York parks officials have recommended shutting 41 parks and 14 historic sites in the fiscal year starting April 1, with service reductions at 23 other parks and 1 historic site as the state faces an $8.2 billion budget deficit.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation says it's also proposing $4 million in fee increases.

Some of the most popular among the 178 state parks and 35 historic sites would remain open and staffed. Jones Beach on Long Island would close its west swimming pool and eliminate July 4 fireworks. Niagara Falls State Park would reduce its interpretive programs.

In Queens, Bayswater Point State Park will close and on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Riverbank State Park will reduce its operating hours, close its outdoor swimming pool, and eliminate seniors classes and community events.

Parks spokeswoman Eileen Larabee says Friday that officials would review each closed park to determine whether the public could still visit, though parking areas would likely be closed.

State Parks & Historic sites to close

Closings Loom for New York Parks, Historic Sites

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP/ 1010 WINS) -- New York state's parks system, the nation's oldest, is facing another round of budget cuts that is likely to result in some parks being closed this summer, something officials and advocates say would be a first in its 125-year history.

New York is among several states considering closing parks a year after some were either shut down or had service and staff reductions.

Park advocates and members of New York's State Council of Parks, a statewide volunteer advisory panel, say they fear scores of the system's more than 200 parks and historic sites could be closed this summer because of an ongoing budget crisis.

State parks officials say they're still compiling the list of facilities that will be closed. That list is expected to be released in a few weeks.

NYS Parks to scrap flag program

From the NY Post:

The state Parks Department had been hard at work preserving some 2,000 flags and standards carried into battle by New York military units -- most of them dating to the Civil War.

Nearly 500 flags, battered by decades of neglect, have already been meticulously conserved and made fit for display -- at a cost of only $100,000 a year.

Now, faced with budget cuts, the department is scrapping the program.

The standards are vital markers of New York's critical role at places like Gettysburg and Antietam. And New York has so many of them only because of its outsized contribution to the Union cause.

That needs remembering.

Save the battle flags -- now.

Thompson concerned about toxic fill

From Save Ridgewood Reservoir:

City Comptroller William Thompson has called on Mayor Bloomberg to reveal to the public the risks of dredged toxic materials that the administration wants to use in public parks...

Traditionally, processed dredged material has been used to fill mines in Pennsylvania and cap landfills and brownfields or sent to designated disposal locations out-of-state. In addition, some material has already been used at the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island. With appropriate safeguards, it also may have potential in commercial development projects.

Roughly 15,000 cubic yards of processed dredged material has already been placed at the Bronx Terminal Market Waterfront Park, and there are plans to place 200,000 cubic yards of dredged material at both Heritage Field and Brooklyn Bridge Park.

“While I am advised that the material will be tested by City contractors and its placement will be approved by the state, I must insist that the Administration provide appropriate details regarding the quality of this fill and the safeguards it intends to adopt before it continues to place this material in our City’s neighborhoods,” Thompson wrote.

Area beaches to see summer cutbacks

From the Daily News:

Despite more than $10 billion in increased spending, parks officials plan to close - or reduce hours - at state swimming pools and beaches.

As part of $5 million in cutbacks, state parks officials will not open the pool at Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx this summer and will greatly reduce the swimming options at Long Island's Jones Beach.

Swimming hours at other pools and beaches in the area, including Robert Moses and Harriman State Parks, will also be reduced...

The cutbacks, coming barely a week after lawmakers adopted a $131.8 billion budget that hiked overall spending by 9%, angered critics who said the state should have cut elsewhere.