NYC Waterfalls Hours Cut in Half

By on August 31, 2008 10:44 am in Brooklyn Heights

The NYC Parks Department has cut the hours of operation of the NYC Waterfalls art installation in half.  The move comes in response to the Brooklyn Heights Association’s call to turn Olafur Eliason’s project off completely a month before its October 13 end date due to tree damage they believe was caused by its salt water spray.   The Parks Department maintains that no permanent damage has been done to trees along the Promenade and at the River Cafe.

According to NY1 the new hours of operation are: Tuesdays, and Thursdays through Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Share this Story:

, ,

  • Brooklyn Dodger

    The impact of salt spray on these trees should be a scientific question, not an opinon debate between the BHA and the Parks Department.

    It would be helpful to have soil salinity and airborne concentrations of salt, with waterfalls on and off (now a natural experiment) and close to and remote from the waterfalls. Have the waterfalls affected soil salinity, compared the river spray that has been there for a few years.

    Second, the recovery of deciduous trees from partial defoliation should be researched.

    http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/trees/430-031/430-031.html

  • David on Middagh

    Why do I have the feeling that most commenters on this ongoing story haven’t surveyed the damage for themselves?

    If you need a control group, enter the Brooklyn Heights promenade at Cranberry/Orange St., looking carefully at the trees, and the plants beneath. You will see lush greenery with no defoliation or leaf damage. As you walk the Promenade, keep an eye on the overhanging branches as well as the broad-leafed plants. Note how damaged the trees and gardening become at the far end, nearer the waterfall. From years of walking the promenade, I can tell you this isn’t normal.

  • T.K. Small

    The waterfalls cannot be turned off too soon for me! Especially after my visit yesterday to the New York Botanical Garden up in the Bronx, I consider myself an urban tree hugger. This is a very serious situation which I am surprised it has been allowed to exist this long.

  • esplanader

    The wateralls are a disgrace and insult to Brooklyn. First they turn their backs to the Boro and now they are poisoning our trees and greenery. Many of the smaller plants are toast, they will never recover. The large trees may recover but will be stressed. The fund for Public Art should be ashamed of itself for foisting this expensive, energy-guzzlling, environmental hazard on the citizens of Brooklyn. Shame on them and shame on the demented Olafsun.

  • Troubled Reader

    Yesterday, I took a walk down the Promenade and was shocked and saddened to see the damage that has been caused to the trees and shrubs by the salt spray. One of my favorite flower beds (near the Remsen Street entrance to the Promenade) is in extremely bad shape. I fear for the beautiful yellow magnolia tree. I also walked down to Fulton Ferry Landing, and saw the damage that has been done to the trees there. It is well past time that the Falls be turned off. Let us hope the trees recover. And, by the way, I wonder what type of erosion damage this art installation is doing to the already stressed BQE.

  • my2cents

    As the gardener in “Chinatown” famously said to Jack Nicholson:
    “Salt water very bad for glass.”

  • esplanader

    Public art used to be something to enhance public spaces and delight the public. Now, it seems to be something geared at increasing tourist dollars -even if it entails environmental damage as in this case.
    Someone needs to take the public art fund to task. Any mayoral candidate that does so has my backing.

  • nabeguy

    Okay folks, anyone want to give a begrudging nod to the BHA for actually lving up to their mandate to protect the neighborhood? Or do you think their only motive was to make sure that the spray doesn’t reach the casino?

  • my2cents

    Does anyone *ever* have anything positive to say in these comment threads, nabeguy? :-)