Mayor Meets with Randall's Island Paddling Advocates

South Bronx Greenway Plan Unveiling
Mayor Meets with Randall's Island Paddling Advocates
Contact: Harry, 646 206 5288, information (at) friendsofbrookpark.org
Robert 212 973 1782 mutualaid (at) earthlink.net

The Mayor of the City of New York hosted a press event at 10:00 am on Monday, November 20th at Hunts Point Landing (Farragut Street end) to announce the release of the South Bronx Greenway Masterplan.

The Masterplan has been spearheaded by local groups Sustainable South Bronx and The Point and represents an important hallmark in the revitalization of the area in cooperation with the community, elected officials and local businesses.

Advocates with Friends of Brook Park, supporters of the Greenway, arrived at the future waterfront park sight by kayak from Randall's Island to highlight the many linkages the Greenway will entail.

"We applaud the Mayor for his support of this grassroots effort. It is imperative for the successful completion of the Greenway that Randall's Island remain publicly accessible, and the proposed private beach and waterpark be scuttled as soon as possible." Harry J. Bubbins stated to the Mayor, who read from the advocate's postcard from the podium.

Fellow kayaker Robert Jereski engaged in a discussion of ideas about the further privatization of the ball fields currently proposed by the Parks Department with Commissioner Benepe, even suggesting to the Commissioner that Governor's Island would be more appropriate for a water theme park.

Assembly Member Diaz applauded his fellow State officials for championing the fully funded Environmental Protection Fund, which provides resources for community groups such as Friends of Brook Park to replicate borough successes on the neglected Harlem River,

Numerous local elected officials were on hand, including Congress Member Jose E. Serrano, Assembly Member Ruben Diaz, Bronx Borough President Adolofo Carrion and other agency heads. Almost all of them indicated an interest in paddling the waterways in the near future, when it is warmer!

Many camera crews and print media filmed the departure of the intrepid paddlers with the current, bringing more interest and attention to the diverse and active paddling community of New York City.

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=64482

http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2006b/media/pc112006-greenway300k.asx

http://www.newyorkbusiness.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061120/FREE/61120011/1079/FREE