Response

Mom was so fired up about the park being under attack that she emailed a few people in the parks department and on the local community board...

AND she actually got a response! She was surprised anyone even wrote her back and appreciated that they worked to address some of mom's (and my) concerns. Here is what Ms. Crista Carmody wrote:

Date: Monday, September 25, 2006 10:34 AM
From: Carmody, Crista

Karen,

Thank you for your concerns. The construction fence at 100th Street inside Riverside Park went up really fast and without much warning. The work was supposed to have been completed months ago.

Since last week, I have instructed all Riverside Park staff and other Parks Department divisions not to drive over the lawn area and to enter the park at 116th Street. I have asked the Hudson Beach Cafe staff to enter the park at 116th Street as well. The concession cart at 101st Street cannot make the turn or handle the slope at 116th Street and continues to drive over the grass. There are also several walks that were scheduled for this month that have trucks that also cannot enter at 116th Street.

The contractors should complete the paving this week, and move to the next section of path south of the existing construction fence. Vehicles will still have to pass the playground entrance but they will not have to drive on the grass. Riverside Park staff will do lawn restoration when they are finished.

Unfortunately, the construction staff do bring their personal vehicles to the job site. We are working with them to find a more appropriate site to park.

I will get some "Slow Down Shared Path" signs up as soon as possible.

Please feel free to contact me with questions or more concerns.

Crista Carmody
Park Manager
Riverside Park
Parks & Recreation
New York, NY 10023

Woo hoo! Glenn is always telling mom that local government actually does accomplish things. And he's right!

Now, Laika, Molly, Duncan, Ruby Rose, Boone, Emma, and all the other pups can play in safety. Whew!