NYPD Will Limit Crowds At Hudson River Park, Mayor Says

WEST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN — Crowds of New Yorkers enjoying the warm weather but not social distancing at Hudson River Park last weekend has prompted the mayor to limit the number of people allowed at the West Village park, he announced Friday.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said that the NYPD will be stationed at Piers 45 and 46 starting this weekend to control capacity at the park in a new method to help ensure people are following social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic. The increased NYPD enforcement will also be implemented at Brooklyn's Domino Park, de Blasio said.

"We're not going to let it get too crowded," the mayor said. "We think this is going to help a lot."

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The crowd control comes after photos last weekend of a packed Pier 45, also known as Christopher Street Pier, with almost nobody wearing a mask per Gov. Andrew Cuomo's orders, went viral online.

De Blasio had more cops monitor the park this week, but said Friday that the new crowd control measures will even further prevent social distancing problems.

"We think limited access at the beginning...helps us to stop problems before they begin," he said.

The cops will be tasked with monitoring how many people go into the park and asking parkgoers to leave if certain areas get too crowded, de Blasio said.

They will also ensure that people are limiting the amount of time they spend in the park to give others, who may wait in a line to get in, their chance to enjoy the park, he added.

"There has to be limited time and turnover," he said. "If people do want to wait, we're going to make sure they're socially distanced."

The mayor added that the Hudson River and Domino Park enforcement will be rolled out at other parks if it is successful.

The West Village photos are far from the first time overcrowding at New York City parks raised concern about New Yorkers following social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently raised the fine for breaking social distancing rules from $500 to $1,000 to encourage local governments to better enforce the measures. Cuomo, who has also called out crowding at Prospect Park, pointed to issues at Astoria Park in Queens, Union Square and Brooklyn's Domino Park while he explained the decision.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said Sunday that officers had issued 51 summonses last Saturday, most of which were social distancing.

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