East River Park on the Lower East Side of New York survived the 14-foot storm surge of Hurricane Sandy. In 2018, the city suddenly announced plan to demolish the park much more effectively than any hurricane could. They are taking out every tree and field, the amphitheater--razing the entire park--and rebuilding it from scratch years from now. It’ll be eight feet higher to protect the neighborhood from hurricanes.
But who will protect us from the bulldozers? We do need hurricane protection, of course. There was a long-in-the-making plan to protect the Lower East Side from storm surges. It involved berms (hills) and walls between the FDR Drive and East River Park.
The $1.4 billion plan has most of the park closed for five years. Which, not to be cynical, means many more years in fact. Here are some photos from 2003 to the present that show the vibrant wonders of our park for people and nature.
Click on any photo to enlarge it. Ask for permission for use. © Pat Arnow
