Nighttime visibility on the Hudson River Greenway north of W. 102nd Street has not improved since Jacob-uptown took this photo a year ago.

Due to the absence of lighting, once clocks are rolled back for daylight-saving time the Greenway between W. 102 and W. 125 Streets is plunged into darkness during the evening rush. Making matters worse is the glare of headlights from the Henry Hudson Parkway. Writes Upper Manhattan commuter Brad Conover:

The combination of no lights on the path and oncoming headlights of southbound traffic makes it impossible to see the bike path. There should be three new lines painted marking north and southbound biking lanes, not just one line separating bikers from pedestrians with no indication as to N/S-bound bikers, and there should be lights on the path and/or hedges to block the lights of oncoming traffic. I am sure someone is going to get seriously hurt on that path through no fault of their own.

Jacob-uptown, who sent in photographs of the area last year, was informed in a January 2009 letter that DOT would be recommending that the Parks Department include Cherry Walk lighting in its next round of capital construction contracts (though Parks previously indicated to Streetsblog that such a project would fall under the purview of DOT). Aside from some new shrubbery that "only helps a bit," Jacob reports that no changes have been made since last fall.

Last week, DOT told Streetsblog that defective highway lights along the Cherry Walk stretch would be replaced, but said there are no plans to install lighting on the Greenway itself.

A Parks Department sanitation truck struck a 78-year-old woman using a motor-assisted wheelchair in the Eighth Avenue bike lane this morning shortly before 10 a.m., just north of Bleecker Street. The victim suffered head trauma and was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital, where she is in serious condition, a police spokesman said. No further details on the collision are available at this time. NYPD said the investigation is ongoing.

The driver was heard repeating that he "didn't see" the victim, according to Michelle Ernst of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, who passed the scene of the crash this morning and sent in this picture.

Streetsblog has requests in with DOT and the Parks Department to determine if a policy is in place governing the use of protected bike paths by city vehicles. We'll post more information as it becomes available.

We have a few still shots for now, and some archival footage of the old Petrosino from the Streetfilms vault, featuring Streetsblog publisher Mark Gorton and Project for Public Spaces' Ethan Kent. Yes, they filmed this just four years ago:

After the jump, a shot from Robin showing the square's spiffy new bike parking.

A view of the new Petrosino from Spring Street.

The current round of pedestrian and bike improvements for Allen and Pike Street might be just the beginning.

The changes underway right now rely mainly on paint, planters, and paving surfaces to set aside space for public plazas and bike lanes. It's a great example of what you can do on a shoestring, but without a second phase of construction, the reclamation will have a temporary feel to it. The next iteration of this project might include plazas raised to sidewalk grade, for instance, or bike lanes with more robust physical protection. A solid showing in favor of further upgrades could help secure Parks Department funding for more long-term construction.

Representatives from Parks and DOT will be on hand at tonight's CB3 meeting. To voice support for investment in this promising livable streets project, head over to the BRC Senior Services Center at 30 Delancey Street (between Chrystie and Forsyth). The meeting starts at 6:30.

Help determine what short-term safety, circulation and landscaping improvements should be implemented this fall by the Department of Transportation and Parks & Recreation. The proposals were developed in response to a lively and participatory community “brain storming” workshop and will be presented by NYCDOT.

Tonight's workshop kicks off at 6:00 p.m., at International Baptist Church (312 Coney Island Avenue, by the circle).

Streetsblogger Jacob-uptown: "You can see many of the street lamps on Henry Hudson Parkway are burned out. This makes the greenway completely unlit, except for oncoming car headlights."

Last December, Washington Heights resident Lars Klove alerted us to night-time conditions on a segment of the Hudson River Greenway known as Cherry Walk, which lies roughly between W. 102 and W. 125 Streets. Wrote Lars:

It is unlit and, if riding northbound, into the blinding headlights of southbound traffic, it is impossible to see the bicycle path even with a bike headlamp. The Greenway itself has one semi-reflective line marking the pedestrian lane from the bicycle lane. There is not a line marking the outside edges of the lane or a couple of grassy islands along the way. Its easy to find yourself suddenly off the roadway and in the grass or trees.

As illustrated by these photos from Streetsblog photo contributor Jacob-uptown, captioned with his comments, Greenway users are still in the dark nearly a year later. A press officer with Parks said the department is "aware of this issue," and told us that DOT should be in the process of addressing it. We have a message in with DOT and are awaiting word.

"This is the same view as [the photo above], except with the flash turned on. If you look closely, you can see that the path splits right ahead of you, and if you go straight, you will run into a tree."

More photos after the jump.

"If you look very very closely, you can see the faint green line painted on the ground that shows the path turning left. That is what my eyes are fixed on when I ride through this section of the path."

"This is the same view as [above], except with the flash turned on. Now you can clearly see that the path turns left."

Court personnel have again appropriated downtown Brooklyn parkland for their own private cars.

The saga of the Brooklyn judges who just can't stand to part with their parking spots inside Columbus Park turned into a case of whack-a-mole last week. First, the judges finally agreed to stop parking in a pedestrian walkway, backing down from threats to sue the city in order to preserve that privilege. Under the compromise, however, a much bigger swath of the park has been turned over to the judges' parked vehicles, a supposedly temporary giveback while a new permanent configuration is implemented.

Borough blog McBrooklyn posted photos of how the arrangement squeezes out pedestrians, and the Brooklyn Eagle picked up the story:

Many pedestrians appeared to assume that the blockaded park was just a one-day disruption, due, perhaps to a water main break or a bomb scare. When the actual purpose was explained to one man, however, he was incredulous: "No, you're joking, right?" he said.

"I'm really pissed off," said a woman who works at City Tech (New York City College of Technology) on Jay Street. "I don't think that they should take the park. I hope it's temporary -- and I hope they discontinue it."

The Parks Department approved the new arrangement despite the fact that court personnel already have access to a courthouse garage at 330 Jay Street and 150 placards for free use of on-street spots. "They have all these spots on the street, they can go to 330 Jay, and they're just taking advantage," says Irene Janner of the Brooklyn Heights Association. "We're not happy with their decision to just come in and take up half the park."

Administrative Judge Abraham Gerges says the blockade will last one or two months. But prior "temporary" measures have left pedestrians out in the cold for far longer. In fact, judges were first allowed to store cars in the Columbus Park pedestrian walkway while the city constructed the courthouse at 330 Jay Street -- including a garage for court employees -- in 1999. When the garage was completed, some court personnel refused to use it and insisted on keeping their newly acquired parking perk.

"We have very little confidence in their willingness to uphold this arrangement," says Wiley Norvell of Transportation Alternatives. "They've broken faith before with the community."

Norvell criticized the Parks Department for acceding to the judges' demands. "Their job isn't to find parking spaces," he said. "It's inconceivable that at every turn, the convenient parking of the judiciary takes precedence over public space."

Photo: McBrooklyn

Local residents turned out to give their opinions on the renovation of the malls early last summer.

Residents of the Lower East Side and Chinatown have been fighting for improvements to the Allen and Pike Street pedestrian malls for more than a decade. Now, with the city's Parks Department set to begin a $5.4 million renovation of the malls below East Broadway, their wait for meaningful action might be nearing an end.

The Hester Street Collaborative has just released a final report on the community's visioning process (download the full study), which was coordinated by United Neighbors to Revitalize Allen and Pike (UNRAP) and will be used to inform the upcoming work.

The malls, which run along the center of Pike and Allen Streets from the East River to Houston Street, have long been in a state of disrepair. The pavement is cracked and uneven. There's little vegetation. The roar of traffic is ever-present. "There's a tremendous need for more viable open space here," says Annie Frederick, executive director of the Hester Street Collaborative. "This neighborhood has one of the lowest rates of public space in the city."

This April, a "demonstration mall" was completed on the block between Broome and Delancey, with new planter beds, benches, and sculptures. This summer, UNRAP invited neighborhood residents and organizers to a series of "Take Back Your Park" events to provide feedback and suggest improvements to the project -- like raised planters to better buffer traffic noise, and a meandering path instead of a straight one.

The new report incorporates comments and suggestions from those events, as well as the ideas of students from the New Design High School who studied the malls as part of an intensive summer program.

Among the priorities that emerged were green space, improved buffers from street noise and traffic, connection to the East River waterfront, and events and art exhibits that highlight and preserve the cultural history of the area. Known as "Avenue of the Immigrants," Allen Street is at the heart of an area that is rapidly changing due to gentrification (the malls themselves, constructed in the wake of slum clearance, occupy space where tenements once stood).

Support also emerged for traffic-calming measures and a bike lane that would connect to Manhattan Bridge access. The city DOT has said it is looking for funds from the state DOT to implement that type of improvement.

"What we're hearing over and over again is that Allen Street is over-engineered as a road," said Frederick. "It's not safe." She added that her experience working with the current DOT makes her optimistic about changes, although budgetary constraints will be a factor. "I'm very hopeful," she said. "There has been a real sense of inter-agency collaboration and willingness to listen to the local community. There's been a shift in culture."

Photos: Hester Street Collaborative

In contrast -- or, conceivably, as a complement -- to the L.A. Times portrait of city cycling, here's a Streetfilm from Elizabeth Press, shot yesterday at Transportation Alternatives' Bike Month NYC kick-off.

At a press conference held in the new 14th Street plaza, DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan talks about present and future street-level improvements, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe sums up progress on greenways, and Health & Mental Hygiene Assistant Commish Jane Beddell promotes biking as part of the solution to the city's obesity problem. TA's Paul Steely White then gives a quick run-down of some of the 200+ Bike Month events.

L-R: DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Transportation Alternatives Director Paul Steely White and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe at this morning's Bike Month NYC event on 9th Avenue.

Benepe with White and Streetsblog Publisher Mark Gorton.

Photos: Will Sherman/Transportation Alternatives 

The Grand Army Plaza Coalition (GAPCo) and The Design Trust for Public Space have launched a website for their "Ideas Competition" called Reinventing Grand Army Plaza, which is intended to generate new visions for the plaza's design. The jury will award three cash prizes to the winners, and along with other top entries will be exhibited in an outdoor exhibition at Grand Army Plaza later this year.

Grand Army Plaza is New York City's greatest unrealized asset. Home to powerful architecture, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch, the elegant Bailey Fountain, the entrance to Frederick Law Olmsted's greatest park, and a transit hub, the sum of these parts is emphatically less than the whole. Currently an underdeveloped public amenity, the redesign of Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza will invigorate surrounding communities, just as the re-conception of Manhattan's High Line set off an explosion of activity in West Chelsea.

Top submissions will be exhibited outdoors at Grand Army Plaza in the fall of 2008. Submissions will also inform the program for a new schematic plan for the Plaza, to be created in late 2008 in partnership with the New York City Departments of Parks and Recreation and Transportation.

Tell us what you think about Grand Army Plaza - join the online conversation. For questions about the competition, or to be added to the competition mailing list, send an email to: info@reinventingGAP.org.

Related

• Reinventing Grand Army Plaza: What Are Your Ideas?
• Grand Plans for Brooklyn's Iconic Public Space

Photo: Ethan Kent.

The New York Times reports that the comptroller's office is concerned about possible fraud at the Parks Department's 79th Street Boat Basin. Buried in the piece is the small revelation that the Parks Department offers off-street car parking at far below market rates to boaters moored there.

According to the Times, 23 residents paid $66,250 for parking their cars at the basin in 2005 -- an annual average cost of $2,880, or $240 a month. A block away, at 70 Riverside Drive, a private garage charges $662 a month.

Do the math and you find the city is charging $422 less a month per car than the nearby private garage. Multiply by 23 motorists, and you find a subsidy costing tax payers $116,472 a year in foregone revenue. Admittedly it is decimal dust in a $58 billion city budget. But it's another example of how the money-strapped city is contradicting its own green goals, and short-changing tax payers by giving away public space for parking at low, low prices. Maybe that's the real fraud.

Photo: Cresny/Flickr 

Yesterday we wondered if the city might be convinced to reconcile its vision of a sustainable city with its anti-urban parking policies. We'll mark this one in the "no" column.

Late last week Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz was busted by Uncivil Servants for parking on the sidewalk in front of Borough Hall during a meeting in which DOT unveiled its long awaited Downtown Brooklyn Transportation Blueprint -- check out Priority Initiative #9 below (or download the entire list)...

Regardless of DOT priorities, it turns out that parking on sidewalks is only illegal for drivers who aren't the Borough President or members of his staff, as the Daily News reports:

The Parks Department has struck a deal with Markowitz, allowing him and his staffers to park on the plaza along the east side of Borough Hall and even on the sidewalk on Joralemon St. next to a busy newsstand, Markowitz's office said Tuesday.

Markowitz's office argued it is perfectly legal for him to park on the busy sidewalk.

"We have an agreement with the Parks Department that is authorized by signage along that side of the building that allows permitted vehicles to use that space," said Markowitz spokesman Mark Zustovich.

The Parks Department said they could not comment on the exact location of Markowitz's car the night of the hearing, but confirmed they had recently granted Markowitz the right to park on the flagstone walkway to the east of the building - but not on the plaza behind Borough Hall where Markowitz's staffers used to park.

Markowitz last year tried to block a prohibition on cars in Prospect Park, until DOT did it anyway.

As Markowitz is flirting with a mayoral candidacy, livable streets advocates are getting a preview of how their agenda would fare under Mayor Marty. All together now: Fuhgeddaboudit!

Side note: Here's a reason to hope for a Hillary Clinton presidency -- Marty Markowitz, Ambassador to Trinidad.

Photos: Uncivil Servants

Lars Klove is a professional photographer who lives way uptown and uses the Hudson River Greenway to bike to and from his apartment on 183rd Street just about every day. Now that it is getting dark earlier in the evening, Klove and his wife -- she bikes too -- have noticed that blinding motor vehicle headlights make a section of the Greenway between 102nd and 125th Street virtually unusable. The photo above is what Lars and his wife see at night as they try to ride their bikes home in the evening. Below is Lars' letter to John Herrold at the Parks Department:

I'm wondering if you can help me. My wife and I bicycle commute to and from our home at 183rd St to our jobs in Midtown and Downtown. We ride and love the Greenway. It was a big consideration in our choice in moving to Washington Heights. It has become our favorite part of the day.

Now that it gets dark earlier there is a section of our ride home that is very difficult. The section runs from approximately 102nd Street to 125th (sometimes called the Cherry Walk). It is unlit and, if riding northbound, into the blinding headlights of southbound traffic, it is impossible to see the bicycle path even with a bike headlamp. The Greenway itself has one semi-reflective line marking the pedestrian lane from the bicycle lane. There is not a line marking the outside edges of the lane or a couple of grassy islands along the way. Its easy to find yourself suddenly off the roadway and in the grass or trees.

A simple solution would be to add a reflective line to the outsides of the lane and in the areas of the grassy islands. Is there anything that can be done here?

Thank you for your time,
Lars Klove

The "Cherry Walk" section of the Greenway in daylight.

While the NYPD, Parks Department, MTA, unnamed authorities and, of course, bike thieves, busily clip locks and cart off New Yorkers' bicycles in great number, the Department of Transportation is making sure that not only do bike commuters have a classy spot to park outdoors, but their tushies won't get wet when it rains. Next month, cyclists will be happy to see the first of many new public bike-parking shelters popping up near transit hubs throughout the city. Word has it there was a bit of flexibility built in to the Cemusa bus shelter contract and DOT decided to get a bit creative and try this out. New York Magazine reports:

The structures are from the same company that's installing those adorable new bus stops around town. As you can see, they look very similar, except they've removed the side and rear panels for easy access for up to eight bikes. (And their ad panels will show off the city bike map or reminders to pedal safely.) The Art Commission approved the design yesterday, and the contractor will build the first 5 of 37 at commuting hubs. Look for them at 17th and Broadway, DeKalb and Flatbush, Pelham Parkway and White Plains Road, Jackson Avenue at 50th Street in Long Island City, and the St. George Ferry Terminal.

And, hey, it only took eight years. The Department of City Planning Transportation Division recommended the installation of sheltered bike parking in its 1999 Bicycle Parking Needs report:

Where space is available, the installation of CityRacks should be accompanied by the installation of a protective canopy that offers shelter from the weather. Such a shelter could be modeled after the New York City bus shelter. In addition to weather protection, such a shelter would offer the advantage of raised public awareness.

Streetsblog has been a big admirer of other city's bike parking shelters for some time (Brussels, Bogota). It'll be nice to see other cities admiring New York City.

The Department of Parks & Recreation has posted an online High Bridge survey (here it is in Spanish), and will be collecting responses until September 7. Two items at issue are bike access and park hours. The original plan called for the restored bridge to be open only on weekends, and only during the day, severely limiting its viability as a transportation link. Parks representatives have said the city will make use of existing park trails and bike routes for cycling access, but specifics remain unclear. 

The Parks Dept. has been very sensitive to public input to this point. It's important that the city hear from pedestrians and cyclists who want a useful, accessible car-free route between Manhattan and the Bronx. 

Photo: Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

Thanks to Streetsblog tipsters who've written in about the evening rush closure of Prospect Park's East Drive. This sign went up Friday at the corner of Parkside and Ocean Avenues.

This just in from DOT:

City transportation and parks commissioners today announced the extension of weekday recreational hours in Prospect Park as part of a citywide effort to encourage outdoor activity and cleaner air. Beginning on Monday August 27, 2007, motor vehicles will only be allowed to use the park’s East Drive from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and its West Drive from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The announced change discontinues evening vehicle access to the East Drive (currently permitted from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.).

“These traffic changes will create new opportunities for children and families to enjoy the Prospect Park drive on weekday afternoons. In his sustainability plan, Mayor Bloomberg urged us to ‘re-imagine the public realm.’ What better place to start than our greatest and most-visited parks?” said DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. “Our goal is to let the park be a park as much of the time as possible.”

“The increase of recreation-only hours on the drive in Prospect Park mirrors a similar increase enabled in Central Park a few weeks ago. Now there will be even more hours devoted to car-free bicycling, running, blading, and simply sauntering. Both parks will be cleaner and greener, and their users happier and healthier” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg for his leadership in making New York a more livable and sustainable city, and Commissioner Sadik-Khan and the Department of Transportation for continuing their work to balance the needs of all New Yorkers.”

Currently, vehicular traffic is allowed on the West Drive of Prospect Park between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on the East Drive from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. The park will continue to be closed to motor vehicles mid-day, overnight and during weekends.

Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC 2030 calls for making the City’s parks more accessible by expanding usable hours and increasing available athletic options. These reductions will further improve the parks’ overall traffic flow, minimize potential pedestrian/vehicle conflicts, and make available additional space for non-vehicular uses.

Guess the fix wasn't in after all.

Photo: Michael Hansen

Dear Parkies,

We're halfway through the summer and I know that you have been working hard to give New Yorkers a safe, clean and enjoyable experience at our parks, recreation centers, beaches and pools. Many Parkies have gone beyond the call of duty this summer. The lifeguards at Coney Island were recently faced with a dangerous situation and dealt with it in a professional manner, keeping beach goers and their fellow employees out of harm's way while trying to save a life. Their actions and attitude set an inspirational example for all of us.

Many New Yorkers write to me about their experiences in parks and it is heartening to read about the great work you're doing. However, I also occasionally receive complaints about the behavior of Parks employees. These complaints range from employees who are rude, to employees who yell and swear at Park patrons, to reckless drivers in Parks vehicles who may endanger pedestrians. We know that most of our employees are true professionals who are always polite.

That's why I encourage you all to put your best face forward, even in trying situations. If you simply treat all our visitors the way you would want to be treated, everyone will have a great day in our parks.

Thank you,

Adrian Benepe, Commissioner

Photo: SuperEvilBrian on Flickr

-----Original Message-----
From: Parks Dept. Assistant Commissioner Jack Linn
Sent: Fri 8/3/2007 12:04 PM
To: Broadcast Message
Subject: East Drive Parking Permits

All employee parking permits for Central Park's East Drive are hereby revoked, effective August 15, 2007. If you believe your circumstances justify having a permit for parking, you must reapply by filling out one of the usual forms available in my office.

As always, your request must be endorsed by a Commissioner or Chief on the line provided on the application form.

Anyone who does not now have a permit but feels justified in requesting one may also apply at this time.

However, we intend to reduce the overall number of vehicles on the East Drive, so any request for a permit may be denied, whether it is a request for a renewal or for a first-time permit.

And, of course, you can find lots more on this issue at UncivilServants.org.  

Lauren Philson was out running some errands near the Forest Hills train station in Queens on Tuesday when she spotted three or four men using large clippers to steal bicycles. The men weren't your typical bike thieves. "They were wearing white polo shirts with Parks and Recreation logos on them," Philson says. And they were heaping the bicycles into the big, green Parks Dept. truck pictured above.

A friend's bicycle had been picked up in the seizure so Philson, a 25-year-old photography professional, asked the Parks officers what was going on. They told her that the bikes were being removed from trees and fencing around trees. Philson believes that bicycles were also removed from street signs and other street furniture and estimates that there were somewhere between 40 to 50 bikes piled into the truck.

Abigail Lootens, a Parks Dept spokesperson, says the bike seizures are not part of any new citywide policy nor were they done in respnse to a specific complaint. "Street trees are under our jurisdiction and if Parks enforcement officers are patrolling an area and see unattended property, they'll confiscate it. It's just routine," she said.

Later, a neighbor who used to work in the park brought Philson to the command center where the bikes had been taken. There she spoke with a Parks Enforcement Patrol officer who told her that "it was the first day of a citywide campaign" to remove bicycles from Parks property. The officer said the campaign was "part of the Mayor's 'green plan' including the planting of a million new trees throughout New York City," Philson reports.

The Parks Dept. says that the officer who spoke with Philson is "misinformed." I have called the officer but have been unable to reach him.

Lootens said that she would try to get answers to a number of questions that I asked. She didn't know how many bikes had been confiscated on Tuesday. She could not confirm whether bike confiscations took place at other locations throughout the city. And she didn't have information about how often the Parks Dept. conducted bike seizures at the Forest Hills subway station in the past. "It's just enforcement of Parks rules, a daily thing. It's not uncommon," she says.

As for procedure, "When bikes are confiscated," Lootens says, "a note is left behind notifying the owner and telling them where they can claim it. The bikes are first brought to the local Parks Enforcement Patrol command center for several days where it is hoped they will be claimed. After that they are moved to storage at Flushing Meadows Corona Park for about a week. If still not claimed, they are turned over to NYPD."

Philson, however, says that no notes were left behind at the Forest Hills train station. Rather, the Parks employees left a single business card thumbtacked to trees on which bikes had been locked. The business card belonged to Kenneth Brown, Captain of the Parks Enforcement Patrol, Queens Sector.

"At the command center, I was giving the Captain a hard time," Philson said. "He said, 'Look, you've got to get a group together in the community and do something about this.' He seemed like he felt he was doing something wrong by taking the bikes but had to do what he was told."

Photo: Lauren Philson, Tuesday, July 10