Comments on: Central Park(ing Lot)

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 17:01:09 +0000

Well,

That shows how much I know about horses. OK, bridle. Thoughts on bike access?

By: Mathperson

Mathperson — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 14:55:18 +0000

Bridle.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 21:10:25 +0000

This morning I was ordered off the bridal path in Central park by a parks employee. I looked online to see if there was a rule against bicycles on the bridal path. Here’s what I found:

1) NYC Parks & Recreation says: “Stay on designated paths: riding off-trail damages our parks, and is strictly prohibited. No bicycle riding is permitted on pedestrian paths. Violators are subject to fines and confiscation of their bicycles.”

I say, it’s true that the bridal path is not designated for bikes, but its not a pedestrian path, either. It’s not designated for cars, either, but there are loads of them on the bridal path–they are the traffic that is causing the damage with which the above rules purport to be concerned.

2) Central Park Conservancy says: “Circling the entire Park, the drives provide three long-distance routes â€” 6.1 miles, 5.2 miles or 1.7 miles â€” or shorter distances if you cross the Park at a number of scenic locations. Cycling is prohibited on all pedestrian pathways.”

Just what are these “scenic locations” where you can “cross the park?” In my view, the bridal path should qualify.

Is there are general rule in NYC that bikes are only permitted on either (1) roadways where cars are allowed or (2) affirmatively designated bike pathways?

By: Aaron

Aaron — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 16:52:25 +0000

Many of the permits are bogus. In Downtown Brooklyn, at least, many of the permits look like they have simply been photocopied onto color paper. One idea I’ve long had is to just photocopy a million permits, distribute them at every shop in Downtown Brooklyn, and basically force the city to address the problem by flooding the streets with bogus permits.

By: CB

CB — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 16:28:04 +0000

Are all the permits valid? Are there really that many employees?

By: alex

alex — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 13:52:46 +0000

Or… perhaps the private cars and SUVs have something to do with the dangerous surface of that section of the Bridle Path?

By: alex

alex — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 13:49:44 +0000

In addition to taking up usable and valuable space, the vehicles cause a sort of positive feedback of danger to park users. For example, the portions of the Bridle Path (Sanitation Plant near Delacorte and the south side of the reservoir) that routinely get parked upon by park employees, are by far the most dangerous sections of the Bridle Path for park users. These sections are particularly dangerous because the cars create a bottle neck which park users muct navigate. While navigating such bottlenecks, not only are pedestrians brought quite close to trotting 500 pound horses, but they are also forced to step aside for other vehicles looking for more parking.
Also, for what it is worth, the section of the Bridle Path with the most dangerous footing doubles as the NYPD’s free parking lot at the south end of the reservoir. If one takes a stroll on this section of the Bridle Path, one will encounter caping potholes that can be 6-12 inches deep. Of course, these potholes don’t exist in the middle of winter when they become enormous frozen hazards. Often times in the winter it would be better to bring ice skates and jump among the ice-sections rather than try to walk. And compared to the rest of the Bridle Path, it seems pretty clear that horses and pedestrians are the source of such gargantuan potholes.

By: d

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 19:21:51 +0000

There’s only one minor point that should be clarified:

The curb cutouts at Columbus Circle are not there so that cyclists may ride smoothly from the street and down into the park. Cyclists are supposed to dismount and walk their bikes from that point. (There are other points where they may ride in directy from the street at the South entrance and further up CPW).

The curb cutouts are for pedestrians, specifically those in wheelchairs, who are unloading from cars or accessing the sidewalk from the street.

It makes it even worse, then, that cars would block this cutout! But cyclists have zero claim to this part of the sidewalk and curb.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 12:24:16 +0000

I see the basketball court parking lot all the time. I have yet to see kids playing anywhere around there.

And Mitch is right, the battle over the Tavern Green parking lot was a turning point for the press exposing Moses for what he really was.

I suspect we are reaching a similar point with illegal parking permit abuse. TA’s recent report shows that this abuse is widespread.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 22:04:19 +0000

For a bit of historical perspective, it might be worth recalling that Robert Moses’ fall from godlike status started with his attempt to convert a playground into parking for the Tavern on the Green.