The amphitheater in East River Park drew onlookers this afternoon.
While Sandy chugged toward New Jersey this afternoon, local residents braved the wind and hard-spattering rain to have a look at the East River before dark. From Corlear’s Hook Park at Jackson and Cherry Streets to the Williamsburg Bridge, dozens of onlookers soaked up the scene with cameras, video recorders and phones. A pair of teenage boys skateboarded southward, laughing as they rode on the gusts. Along the park service road next to the FDR, NYPD officers in patrol cars used a bullhorn to tell cyclists and pedestrians the park was closed, but over on the river, no one paid attention.
Fresh astroturf awaits the pounding of athletes feet at Corlear s Hook Park.
An eight-month-long renovation project at Corlear’s Hook Park wrapped up this week, and a sparkling new sports complex is due to open later this month. The $2 million project includes a new large playing field for soccer and baseball, a batting cage, a bullpen and two dugouts. Creature comforts such as new benches and water fountains were also added–although there are still no restrooms.
The project, which we previewed back in March, was funded by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. It was the first capital improvement project since 1996 at the 4-acre park, which runs along the FDR between Jackson and Cherry streets and also features a dog run.
This weekend is your chance to dispose of that pine tree dropping needles all over your apartment, and turn it into mulch that helps plants in our public parks. (See adorable video here.)
The city’s parks department is hosting its annual Mulchfest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Click through for the details.
Bring your holiday tree to one of the designated parks to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city or your own garden!
This year, we are encouraging all New York households to help the environment and the community by bringing their trees to our nearest collection site. At the chipping sites, you will have the opportunity to take home your mulch. Remember to remove all lights and decorations before bringing the tree to a MulchFest site!
Rutgers Street near South Street.
Here’s our Monday morning status report on the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy on the Lower East Side and a rundown of resources available as New Yorkers recover from the devastating storm. We already reported the latest on Con Ed’s efforts to restore steam-powered heat and hot water to thousands of apartments downtown. School is back in session today (without heat in many locations), the F train is finally running again and most businesses and non-profit organizations have reopened.
Even as the massive recovery effort continues, city officials are refocusing their energies on running a smooth Election Day tomorrow. Lots of polling locations have moved due to Sandy but there’s only one LES change. The polling location at Bard High School (525 East Houston) has been shifted to P.S. 188 at 442 East Houston. To check your polling station, click here.