Brooklyn Bridge Park Post-Hurricane Update From Regina Myer

By on November 2, 2012 3:53 pm in Brooklyn Heights

Here’s the contents of an email Regina Myer, President of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation, sent to members of the BBP Citizens Advisory Council this afternoon with an update on how the park is faring following the storm:

I wanted to update you on Park conditions as a result of Hurricane Sandy. In general, the park fared well, with all piers, bulkheads and riprap revetments remaining stable during the storm surge. There was some flood damage to various areas of the park including the lawns, the Swing Valley playground area at Pier 6, and the Main Street and Pier 1 playgrounds. We’ve also sustained damage to electrical and irrigation equipment throughout the park.

In terms of Pier 5 construction, all electrical equipment was damaged by salt water. The synthetic turf shifted from wind and flooding, and needs to be re-aligned. Flooding also caused damage to paving. Repairs are in progress and should be completed soon.

As you may have already heard, we will be opening the park tomorrow morning. Though the greenway will remain open from dawn until dusk, all lawns will remain closed temporarily. The East River Ferry will continue to operate from Pier 1 and Smorgasburg will be at the Tobacco Warehouse on Sunday. In addition, both the Pier 6 and Main Street dog runs, as well as the Picnic Grove at Empire Fulton Ferry, will be open.

On Wednesday, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy brought over 100 volunteers to the park to perform basic cleaning functions along the perimeter of the park and along the park sidewalks. We were touched by the outpouring of support and thank everyone who came out to help.

Thanks to those of you who reached out in the aftermath of the storm to wish us well during our clean-up efforts. We hope that you stay safe during this time and look forward to seeing you in the park soon.

Best,
Regina

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  • AmyinBH

    The park has become a favorite place of mine. When I first moved to BH there was a lack of green space. It was one more thing that disappointed me about not being able to afford to live in Manhattan. The park has been one of the many improvements that have made me feel happier I live in BH. I am so very glad to hear the park was not totally destroyed.

  • Red Hook is Suffering

    While I am very happy to hear that the park sustained minimal damage relatively speaking (and yet 100 volunteers instantaneously appeared), I am appalled at the lack of volunteers in Red Hook less than a mile down the road. Nothing more heartbreaking than to watch countless homeowners and business owners throwing their whole lives out on the street. They lack even the basics like headlamps and batteries, let alone a nice park and altruistic assistance from volunteers. Red Hook is suffering and starving while Brooklyn Bridge Park flourishes.

  • Jorale-man

    On Tuesday morning, one of the first things I did was walk down to the promenade to get a look at the park. I was glad to see it was still in one piece and there wasn’t any major structural damage (though I’m sorry to hear about the Pier 5 setbacks – I’ve seen how much care has gone into building that). One of the advantages of having small trees still is they’re probably less likely to come down in windstorms.

    As for Red Hook, I suspect that access is part of the issue. BBP is on our doorsteps; Red Hook takes some effort to reach. It is awful to see the damage to businesses down there like Fairway, not to mention the many homes that haven’t received much news coverage.

  • Wiley E.

    Has anyone sent the National Guard to Red Hook? They have the transportation equipment to get things done.

  • Knight

    @Red Hook Is Suffering: I wonder how many people in Brooklyn Heights fully realize that Red Hook was hit so hard. We walk around our own neighborhood and apart from the unusally crowded streets for a weekday and some tree damage everything seems near normal. The mainstream media has not covered Red Hook, either. Coney Island, Sheepshead Bay, yes; but not Red Hook.

  • Robert

    Are there any organized programs for hurricane relief in Red Hook on Saturday?

  • Knight

    @Robert: I received the following note from Sacred Hearts Catholic Church in Carroll Gardens regarding Red Hook:

    The parish family will be collecting dry foods and non-perishable items along with coats and clothing to give to our neighbors in all of Red Hook and other effected areas. Collections will be taking place in the rectory garage located in the church yard behind the rectory and accessible via the Carroll Street driveway. The main collection day will be on Sunday, but if you have items that you would like to leave you may bring them at anytime. Volunteers are need to help collect sort and distribute goods as well.

  • bagel boy

    Most of the crime in all of brownstone brooklyn ie car break ins, muggings, burglary etc is and has been exported from Red Hook for years. What are we supposed to do ? Head into Red Hook for some more. Hmm, tell us.

  • Robert

    @knight: Thank you. Wewill follow up. Would be glad to volunteer thisweekend to help out in Red Hook or elsewhere.

  • Carlotta

    Food, clothing, etc. can be dropped off at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue today and tomorrow also.

  • Mr. Crusty

    Bagel boy you are quite special aren’t you?

  • bagel boy

    What part of what I wrote is not true? And yes, if special is telling the truth then yup that’s me.

  • Gerry

    @ Bagel boy – you are correct and with Crusty if its not one thing its another ignore his posts

  • Mr. Crusty

    No, special as in short school bus special. Yes, Red Hook is an enemy nation that we need to be defended from. All true spunky.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    bagel boy, care to footnote your ridiculous thesis?

  • David on Middagh

    “What part of what I wrote is not true?”

    As the late, great Christopher Hitchens reminded us, arguments presented without evidence may be dismissed without evidence.

  • bagel boy

    So, do you think the car thieves, muggers and burglars came (come) from Bay Ridge, Midwood, Williamsburg, or Park Slope ? to rob us? Are you all nuts ? Or just so invested in the lies and socially correct party line that you can’t think straight ? Wake up

  • Mr. Crusty

    Make some bagels, bagel boy. You’re a bit out of your element.

  • Gerry

    @ bagel boy – many people forget BrooklynHeights in the 1980s the crime the height of the crack epidemic it was a hard place to live