Vision 2020 Waterfront Meeting Still Asks The Question Why Can't Roosevelt Island Residents Access The East River?
Blogger Frogma attended last week's Vision 2020 New York City Waterfront planning session and provides a summary as to what went on. As to Roosevelt Island Frogma reports:
... People on Roosevelt Island, in particular, would like water access; they'd always been told that the currents around there are too dangerous for small boats, and it's true that they are swift around there, but they've had people who know the water look at the situation & find ways it could be done, and they'd like to see that happen. Rob actually asked in his 3 minutes if the phrase "dangerous currents" could please be dropped in future discussions - we do have powerful currents, but with a little knowledge, they aren't dangerous & in fact allow for some fantastic current-assisted trips (my longest day paddle ever, for example, was about 50 miles - try that without a flood & an ebb helping you out!)....The NYC Department of Planning will have a copy of the presentation made at the meeting available on their web site soon and advise:
The first citywide public meeting to kick off the outreach process was held on April 8th. A copy of that presentation and a summary of the comments received will be posted to this website shortly. Thanks to all who attended the kick-off meeting.Here's more on the question Why Can't Roosevelt Islanders Get In The Water (including wonderful Great Big Sea video with the Chieftains) and the potential for a kayak launch from Roosevelt Island.
We will be announcing the next set of public workshops soon! Stay tuned!
Reminds me of this 2007 post on the lack of Roosevelt Island waterfront access.
I have often passed Roosevelt Island on a Ferry Boat but never a sail boat. The video above illustrates what a great experience it must be. As a waterfront community it is a shame that Roosevelt Island does not take more advantage of being surrounded by the East River. For example, it would be great for a boat house and kayak launch to be established on Roosevelt island as it has been right across the river in Queens at the Long Island City Community Boat House. and at East River Crew on East 96th Street. Several years ago I inquired of RIOC about the possibility of a Kayak launch here and was told that the currents were much too strong to safely permit. But others with practical experience of such matters advised that with proper guidance a kayak launch could readily be created on Roosevelt Island.
Same old, Same old.
4 comments :
Was the feaar of strong currents
the reason RIOC constructed the West Road sidewalk on the landside
rather than as a link between the existing promenade ending at the meditation steps and resuming at the tennis club? Or did the developpers want a front big lawn at the expense of an uninterrupted promenade?
The comment fails to notice the siting of the subway station and the ventillation shaft which have been in place since the mid '80s.
Steve Shane
Ref Mr Shane's comment MTA might prefer a pedestrian walk crossing the property to the heavy trucks and private cars that are now parking on the aouthern edge forcing buses to stop further away from the subway station)there. Maybe RIOC should ask MTA again ?
I am happy to see Mr Shane reads the blogs. Did he by chance read the following blog on April 13 which also deals with the MTA station:
IF "(parking spots and an off-road truck loading and unloading area)" refer to the area across from the subway station that area would be better used by converting it into a safe bus stop repeat bus stop and create the parking spots and truck loading (?) and unloading area on the East Drive. This change would move the "30 seconds" extra walk for the many subway users to the few truck drivers and parking patrons.
(slightly paraphrased for clarity)
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