May 29, 2007
Williamsburg's State Park Has Arrived
Rejoice, Williamsburg-ites, you now have a waterfront park (and you don't even need to buy a luxury condo to have access to it). The East River State Park opened this weekend, to what looks like little fanfare (The NY Times reported "a dozen hearty and alert souls by the East River to check out a park on its first day.").
Gowanus Lounge checked the park out, saying:
East River State Park finally opened this weekend and we like it. It is wonderful to finally have open space on the water that can be accessed without climbing through or over fences. While the site has an interesting environmental legacy--as does neighboring land to the south where those luxury condo towers are going up and land to the north where a Manufactured Gas Plant was once located, plus the Astral Oil Works--it creates 7.5 acres of new parkland in Williamsburg.
You can check out their photos here, and a lot more here. It does seem a bit...lacking, as one person noted to the Times, “It’s nice. But it looks a little parched, like an afterthought, or that they didn’t put much love into it.”
What does the park have?: "grass, some bushes, little yellow flowers, four portable toilets, five metal barrels serving as garbage cans, three wooden picnic tables and one white sign the size of a dictionary that reads, 'DANGER Keep out of the Water.' There are no trees or anything else to give shade." With a $7.3 million price tag, you can bet more recreational facilities and design plans are in the works (and there may be some more green in store for the Greenpoint-Williamsburg waterfront).
Photo via TrespassersWill's Flickr.
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That is so depressing. I am glad I left that crappy neighborhood.
yes. Toxic Brooklyn. 17 million barrels of oil in the creek river and crazy hipsters breathing in industrial fumes in their 3000 a month condos. what's the price that someone pays cause everyone is so young and artistic? why, babies born with 3 eyes.
i stopped by this park this weekend. there are no trees. people will burn up in the summer. how stupid...
what we need are more bike lanes and more public space. public space with at least a hint of nature!
I went this weekend too, and I like it. Sure, its a little barren, but they have planted trees. You can't expect them to magically create shade. Plus, it was only a preview. The park is only open on weekends for the next few weeks while they put in finishing touches. The state generally does parks well (hell, it invented the idea (and well before Robert Moses appeared)). I'm sure it will only improve with time. I, for one, am glad they decided to open it rather than wait for the finished product. Just be sure not to poke yourself with any of the corroded metal parts lying around.
it's nicer than what was there. and nicer than the rocks at the end of java street.
greenpoint! not williamsburg. north 7th street is the dividing line between greenpoint and williamsburg therefore this park is in greenpoint. get your facts straight!
It would be great if it wasn't only opened on weekends, and didn't close before I get out of work. I miss going down to the river, like I used to be able to do before the state made us this pretty park.