Harlem Gets New Views Of Upcoming Waterfront Park: SEE IT

EAST HARLEM, NY — A Harlem board got a series of brand-new views last week of the city's planned waterfront park along the Harlem River, where construction is set to begin next year.

The seven-acre park will cover a thin stretch between 125th and 132nd streets, featuring pedestrian and bicycle pathways, an eye-catching work of public art, a playground, and picnic and barbecue areas, among other amenities. Until recently, the site served as a staging area for the Department of Transportation.

Construction will start next year and wrap up by 2025, representatives from the city told Community Board 11 on Friday. That end date is two years later than the originally-announced date, and one year later than the timeline that was given in January.

Friday's meeting came as the city continues to design the park alongside the firm Starr Whitehouse. Still, presenters were able to share a number of new details about the park's features — including, perhaps most notably, a striking sculpture by artist Eto Otitigbe.

Otitigbe's sculpture will double as a musical instrument: an air-powered organ, it will be powered by the Harlem River's waves and tides, which will flow into organ pipes submerged in the river and produce a subtle seventh chord.

Broadly, the park will be divided into four rough areas: an athletic area on the southern end, a central entrance area further north, a "meadow walk," and a tree-lined grove at its north end.

Other new elements revealed last week include a fitness area under the RFK Bridge — complete with a basketball court and adult fitness area — and a small granite amphitheater. The park's elevation will be raised to about 10.5 feet above the river, more than two feet above the waterfront's current height, to account for climate change-induced sea-level rise.

Board members reacted warmly to the park design, though Jessica Elliott pressed presenters to include a restroom in the design, calling it "important for every human." (Representatives for the city said the design allows for a restroom to be built but that they have not raised enough funds to construct one.)

Once complete, the new park will connect to the East River Esplanade, bringing the city closer to its goal of creating a continuous, 32-mile loop around the island of Manhattan.

Construction will require repairing the decaying marine structure that underlies the future park area, with plans calling for replacing or improving the existing platforms, sea walls and bulkheads. That work is being led by Langan Engineering.

The city has received $227 million in funding for the new park. If it has money left over after construction, it will be used to improve existing stretches of the greenway between 132nd and 145th streets, and 145th and Swindler Cove.

Previous coverage: East Harlem Waterfront Park Moving Ahead, City Says