COMMUNITY VOICES THEIR VISION FOR UPTOWN PARKS
Standing with residents in Inwood Hill Park
Elected Leaders, Residents and Parks Organizations Provide Input on What They'd Like to See Most in Northern Manhattan Parks, in Innovative Community Engagement Event
New York, NY-On Satuday, October 24th, 2013, Council Member Rodriguez hosted a community walk through the Northern Manhattan park land west of Broadway. In a creative and innovative way to spur community engagement, Council Member Rodriguez and event partners gave local residents a chance to give on site feedback on the issues plaguing uptown parks and what changes or improvements they would like to see.
"Engagement and empowerment are the keys to a strong community, so I was happy to bring together so many great partners interested in making our parks safer and more enjoyable places for all," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. "We have true treasures in the parks of Northern Manhattan, but it is up to us as residents to keep them safe, beautiful and clean so that they can continue to improve and remain sustainable for the future. This means more Parks Enforcement Patrol officers, "
Northern Manhattan, north of 165th St., has over 600 acres of parkland, including a natural forest in Inwood Hill Park and beautiful vistas of the Palisades in Fort Tryon Park. But with concerns about safety and quality of life, residents came to the walk with plenty of ideas. These were a few of the ones mentioned:
- As Council Member Rodriguez has committed to a renovation of Jacob Javitz Playground, a point of concern for parents in the area for years now, one suggestion for the park was to make it a destination playground. Creating a castle like theme to mirror the Cloisters just a couple hundred yards away.
- Jacob Javitz playground should have distinctive areas for adult and kid spaces, with the basketball courts and workout area separate from the play spaces and kids area.
- Residents again brought up the high number of skunks in the area and suggested a capture and release program be set up. Parks officials on hand stressed the importance of proper garbage disposal to keep them at bay.
- Some participants mentioned adult dance and aerobics classes in the volleyball court area behind the elevator at the Ft. Washington 190th St. A train entrance; they suggested that this could deter crime as it keeps the park populated even at night.
- Open up a cafe at the entrance of Anne Loftus Playground by a local business owner to operate during daytime hours (and without a liquor license), so that more people can be attracted to the playground and a small plaza created at Dyckman and Broadway.
- Bike racks at subway and park entrances. Citi Bike stations in Northern Manhattan (issue previously addressed by CM Rodriguez at council hearing)
- A community map at train station entrances listing local attractions and destinations. This will allow tourists to easily find popular sites like the Cloisters, while giving them other options to explore in the Northern Manhattan neighborhoods.
- Repair of the steps leading up to the Cloisters immediately behind the Anne Loftus Playground, allowing for more direct access.
- At Dyckman Fields, residents suggested a new soccer turf field could be installed where a little used roller hockey rink is now situated. This park receives many soccer players and a new field would be beneficial. Bathrooms at Dyckman Fields were also brought up to avoid people relieving themselves in public, a concern among many residents.
- In Isham Park, local residents were concerned with a set of steps that is susceptible to crime, with little lighting or sightlines. Residents suggested trimming down an overgrown area so that the steps can be visible from the top of the park and the lower street level.
- The pathways in Fort Tryon and Inwood Hill Parks, which combined have over 15 miles of path, are in need of repair to avoid tripping and/or falling. This is a more long term project.
The office of Council Member Rodriguez will now go over the many issues raised during the walk and work with the partners and NYC Parks and Recreation to develop a short term and long term plan that take these suggestions into account. Participants will be kept up to date on any steps taken and others can get involved with this by emailing Legislative and Budget Director Carmen De La Rosa at cdelarosa@council.nyc.gov or calling 212-788-7053.
Partners included the offices of State Senator Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Member Gabriela Rosa, Council Member Robert Jackson, the New York Restoration Project, Fort Tryon Park Trust, the Friends of Isham Park, the New Leaf Caf� and Conservancy North.
Another parks walk will be planned for the coming months for the parks on the eastern side of Broadway, including Sherman Creek and Highbridge Park, to discuss concerns and ideas for these as well.
Council Member Rodriguez speaking at the New Leaf Cafe with advocates and concerned residents
Walking through Fort Tryon Park with a great group of idea filled community members
(Photo Credit: Eduardo Hoepelman)
