Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways

The Daily Plant : Monday, July 9, 2007

A Shore Good Thing Along The Bay Ridge Waterfront

Photo by Daniel Avila

On June 25, Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined Congressman Vito Fossella, State Senator Marty Golden, State Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny, and neighborhood biking enthusiasts to cut the ribbon on a reconstructed two-mile segment of the Shore Parkway Greenway in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

The reconstructed portion, which stretches along the Narrows from the 69th Street Pier down to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, was granted "emergency status" because of safety hazards caused by the crumbling seawall and cavities in the bike path. Mayor Bloomberg funded the rehabilitation of the deteriorated Greenway section with an allocation of $20 million.

The purpose of the rehabilitation project was to stabilize the Greenway path to correct existing safety hazards and to reconstruct the adjacent deteriorated seawall to prevent flooding. The project included the installation of new asphalt pavement, aluminum railing, benches, a chain link fence, and 60,000 pounds of boulders placed to protect the seawall from the pounding ocean waves.

Parks also replaced DEP storm sewer outfalls, installed pavement markings on the Greenway for cyclists and pedestrians, and planted new trees including London planes, hackberries, and elms. The project was led by Design Project Manager John Natoli, Resident Engineer Michael Azzollini, and contractor Galvin Brothers Inc.

A Greenway is a linear open space, such as a path or trail, which links parks and communities around the City, providing public access to green spaces and the waterfront. Greenways expand recreational opportunities for walking, jogging, biking, and in-line skating. Currently, over 100 miles of Greenway exist in New York City, with 30 miles developed over the last four years under the leadership of Mayor Bloomberg. Plans exist to add close to 42 miles of new Greenway to the City over the next four years.

The Shore Parkway Greenway was constructed in the 1940's to complement the Belt Parkway. It loops almost entirely around the borough's shoreline and features bicycle and pedestrian path for about 13 miles along the waterfront.

For more information about Greenways in New York City, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/parks.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"It’s kind of fun to do the impossible."

Walt Disney

(1901 – 1966)

Know Before You Go

Paerdegat Basin Park