Friends of Brook Park: World Beneath the Pavement

A living blog and composting archive of updates, fun announcements, crucial reports and other wonderful information for new volunteers, recent participants and stalwart supporters alike!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Lowline in NY Times





Thanks to the work of Wally Nash (see article here) and other local Mott Haven residents, the so-called Bronx Swamp has been addressed, for now.

The issue has been featured in a series of local article, including in today's NY Times.

We have been working for sometime on this abandoned rail spur as a fantastic greenway bike and pedestrian resource. We have been seeking monies from our local elected officials to spark this effort and welcome any and all to collaborate on this issue!

Visionary Cesar Yoc, while engaged in studies at Hunter College with Professor Tom Angiotti, developed a strong vision for this spur called the "Pocahantas Greenway". See selection here.

Click for the NY Times article today here.

Though the NY Times claims no one knows who owns it, our research shows that theNew York Central Lines, LLC (NYC) and CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) are responsible. In 2003 they filed a notice of
exemption pursuant to the National Transportation Board’s regulations of exemption for abandonment and discontinuance of service, respectively, of the "Lowline" of railroad between Melrose and the southernmost edge of the tunnel at Southern Boulevard in Bronx County,
New York, a distance of approximately 1.5 miles.

NYC sought authority to abandon the line. CSXT seeks authority to discontinue service on the line. A map depicting the rail line in relationship to the area served are posted with this blog. The exemption became effective, the railroad worked to to salvage track, ties and other railroad appurtenances, and to dispose of the right-of-way.
This is where community groups come in to create a rails to trails project! Let's do it!