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NY4P's Advocacy in Action:
South Bronx Parks Under Threat, Rockaway Beach Closure
Before the summer and outdoor season even began, 2018 found us
standing up for parks and beaches in the South Bronx and the Rockaways, two
areas facing very different but very serious issues.
Parks in the Hunts Point neighborhood are
facing threats from proposed off-ramps from the Bruckner Expressway, as part of
the New York State Department of Transportation's “Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement Project.” In our
recently-released Southern Boulevard
Open Space Index, we
found that access to open space in the area is a widespread challenge, and the proposed off-ramps could greatly exacerbate the problem.
Meanwhile, in the Rockaways, community
members and business owners are dealing with a temporary beach closure that
could have significant impacts on businesses that depend on seasonal customers. While much of the beach remains
open – and we encourage everyone to visit – the closed portion is at one of the
most popular sections of the beach.
We gave testimony to the New York State Department of Transportation urging them to respect over a decade of community planning, protection and care for Hunts Point parks. In our testimony to the New York City Council we told them that Rockaway residents and business owners, and all New Yorkers, need better communication and support from the City.
Read more to learn more about these important issues and how we're taking a stand, and read our testimony to the State and the City.
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