Tire Swing Park: The victim of two feuding bureaucracies

August 26^th, 2010

The new Tire Swing Park by West Thames has had as controversial of a launch as its planning stage. First, opponents of the park raised concerns over the iconic swinging tire and forced it to be removed. Then, the drainage of the rubberized surface by the kid’s waterfall was backing up and creating a pond.

As a result, the BPCA never assumed responsibility for the park from the DOT as promised on the day of the ribbon cutting.

As the two bureaucracies feuded and played “hot potato” with the troubled park, the expensively sodded playing field became the neglected child in an ugly divorce. The DOT was watering the field too much and the BPCA Parks Conservancy people did not close the grass field occasionally to protect it from overuse, as they do with adjacent grass lots in the parks.

Rector Park grass field closed for protection

Hence, 40% or so of the field is now completely dead and all mud.

Re-sodding would cost $30,000 for a private project, but likely $100,000 for a State contract. This is in addition to the $9 Million cost of building the park (that many did not want and preferred the original shaded, more natural, park with a real tire swing!)

BatteryPark.TV emailed and called the Region 11 of the New York State DOT media relations staff nearly a dozen times and received no reply. Only after contacting the Director, Phillip Eng, did we get some answers. They wrote:

From the DOT: I am writing in response to your questions regarding West Thames Park. First, my apologies for not getting back to you yesterday. As you saw from my response e-mail, I was on vacation the past week, and I was very busy catching up on other calls and e-mails.  Also, I wanted to touch base with the Route 9A project team to see if there had been any communication with you before I spoke with you.

Next, as part of my discussion with the project team, we visited the park today, and I saw that the drainage issue has been repaired. Perhaps you’ve seen the holes the team drilled in the safety surface to improve the drainage.  These holes were drilled last week, and the parents in the park told us they have been pleased with the performance of the drain since that time.  This is only a temporary measure, and we will look to do something more permanent after Labor Day, when the Parks Conservancy is expected to shut off the water features of the park for the season.

Regarding the lawn, as we have noted in the past, it was constructed to Parks Conservancy standards, and the responsibility for closing the lawn to rest the grass is theirs. We have been involved with testing of the grass and soil to determine if there are any changes that would be necessary to either the grass or soil.  We are expecting the results of those tests within the next few days, and we will be discussing the results with the Parks Conservancy and the BPC Committee of Community Board 1.

Finally, the park is already partially under the authority of the Parks Conservancy. They are already tending to the sand, cleaning and policing the park, and performing other operational functions. We will continue to work with them on construction “punch list” items, such as the lawn and the drainage, to ensure a smooth transition.

I hope this is helpful.  Please feel free to let me know if you need any additional information.

Adam Levine

The History of BPC by Ed Koch

October 29

Ed Koch, former Mayor of New York City and former U.S. Congressman, now partner at law firm Bryan Cave LLP, was important in the creation of Battery Park City. BPC sits on manmade land created from the bedrock excavated during the World Trade Center construction. BPC was not converted into inhabitable city land with infrastructure until the late 1970’s.

Recently, given the City’s financial woes, there is talk of ending the Battery Park City Authority, which shares revenues between the State and City, and having the City acquire all of BPC. We interviewed Mr. Koch about the history of BPC and the recent issues.

Why the DOT should not be in the landscaping business

Update: DOT to make corrections to Tire Swing Park

August 7, 2010

As a result of the BatteryPark.TV report on the construction flaws and suboptimal management of the lawn of the newly opened $9 Million Tire Swing Park on West Thames Street, the DOT will me rectifying the situation. New drainage pipes will be installed to alleviate the poorly draining kid shower and fountain (see below), and the sprinkling schedule of the lawn will be curtailed. A DOT official was scouting out the area on Saturday.

To see what the lawn looked like just one month ago, click here.

August 4, 2010

The new grass lawn adjacent to the West Thames Tire Swing Park is deteriorating rapidly. Normal recreational use that should be easily withstood by a grass field is causing worn out mud patches. BatteryPark.TV has learned that this is due to some design problems.

During construction, heavy equipment weighing many tons was used and this compacted the soil causing poor drainage of the field. In addition, the soil mixture of sand versus organic matter was likely improperly chosen for an “active use” field. To compound the problem, the sprinkler system is being activated when the field is already excessively moist.

Another problem leading to grass death is caused by dog owners crossing over the footbridge and allowing their pets to urinate on the lawn, causing circular dead spots of grass. A fence was suppose to go up, but for unknown reasons was not placed.

None of these problems are insurmountable and could be alleviated easily. If half of the lawn were closed once a week on a slow day, such as Monday, as golf courses do, it would allow the dead spots to regenerate. A short area of fencing by the steps of the bridge would divert the dogs, and the sprinklers could be more optimally scheduled.

The BPCA has not yet taken full custodianship of the care of the park and the State DOT is the agency responsible for the care of the field to date. As with many government agencies, the DOT is dropping the ball and the expensive new lawn is falling apart before our eyes.

Dead grass spots caused by dog urine

Tire Swing Park Ribbon Cutting

July 1, 2010

The new Tire Swing Park was officially opened today with a ribbon cutting ceremony. While the play area has been open since Memorial Day, the grass lawn was just opened up. Officials from the State DOT, BPCA and CB1 spoke, but no State or City elected officials presented.

A plan to save the ducklings

June 2, 2010

As previously reported, the waterfall pond by the Irish Hunger Memorial has ten ducklings stranded in it that were placed there by humans. They lack adequate food and nesting ground. Approximately nine have died in the pond so far.

BatteryPark.TV noticed on the evening of June 1st that the water level of the pond had risen several inches and flooded their circular spot of land creating an even more urgent situation. Searching for an animal protection agency, BatteryPark.TV called the local NYFD firehouse, who referred us to the ASPCA, who referred us to the DEC, who referred us to a private volunteer animal shelter run by Eileen Jones. Ms. Jones spoke with the Battery Park Conservancy’s Tessa Huxley and arranged for an evaluation of the situation on the evening of June 2^nd.

Ms. Jones and a member of the Battery Park Conservancy discussed several options ranging from removing the birds, to building a ramp allowing them to leave the pond, to doing nothing. The plan that was agreed upon was to build small floating platforms to ensure dry land for the ducklings, and then Ms. Jones would provide food for the birds with instructions to the park staff on how to administer it. Stay tuned.

Photo of the ducklings resting in a new grass shelter after the round plot of ground became flooded.

Update: June 6. The duck family taking well to the new platform

July 3: The ducklings are outgrowing their small square and will be flying soon. All ten are still alive thanks to daily feedings by the BPCA parks staff. The father duck has lost his shiny green head feathers as is normal and still splashes down daily. Mother duck often watches from above on the railing of the waterfall.

We saw this coming

August 4, 2010

The most peculiar and controversial design of the new Tire Swing Park complex is the large arching red steel beams. They look like a cross between the Golden Gate Bridge and whale bones. It is not clear what the functional purpose of them are. One thing is clear: they beg for kids to climb them.

In the category of “We saw this coming”, we photographed some kids in the act of climbing high up the scaffold. Much has been made about other safety aspects of the park, but this seems to be the biggest danger.

Whither the swing of Tire Swing Park?

July 1, 2010

The new “Tire Swing Park” has ironically been without the iconic rubber swing since some children bumped their head on the first day of the park. The tire swing was replaced on July 1^st for the ribbon cutting ceremony and is supposed to stay in place. Some warning signs have been posted for liability reasons.

To explore this ultra-local-news controversy, BatteryPark.TV interviewed a local resident concerned about the swing safety and Leticia Remauro of BPCA.

July 8 update: Local journalist Matthew Fenton is reporting that the tire swing has been removed yet again after more children hit their head on the horizontal overhead support beam. According to Fenton, the topic was brought up during a CB1 meeting and member Anthony Notaro testified the personally witnessed two children bump their head on the first day the tire swing was replaced on July 1. The swing will remain down until design changes can be studied.

Traditional Irish music

October 26

BatteyrPark.TV is very pleased to feature The Craobh Naithí Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which is an organization based in Dublin, Ireland that teaches and promotes traditional Irish music. The group is on a New York tour and stopped by the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park City.

For more information, contact the CCE North American Public relations Officer, Paul Keating, at 201-965-6598

CB1 explained by Tribeca Chair Peter Braus

October 14, 2009

New York City Council takes advice from Community Boards on matters such as liquor licenses and construction permits. Community Board 1 oversees lower Manhattan and is divided into subcommittees by region, such as Battery Park, Tribeca, Financial District, etc. Tribeca committee Chairman Peter Braus explains how the system works.

For more information http://mbpo.org/free_details.asp?id=64

The other dangerous crossing on Albany St

January 16, 2010

The dangers of the Albany St/West Side Highway crossing have been well documented. Not so well appreciated are the dangers at the other end where Albany meets South End Avenue. Drivers making turns onto Albany are too occupied by looking down South End for other cars that they neglect to yield for pedestrians crossing Albany who have the white walk sign. The problem is particularly bad in the early evening.

BatteryPark.TV spent a mere five minutes filming the problem on a crude cell phone camera. Within that time, numerous cars violated the law and could have run over a pedestrian who was not paying attention.

If the NYPD posted patrol personnel, it could possibly earn more than $100,000 in revenue per year. Rather than ticket parked cars and do nothing to improve safety, perhaps the NYPD should try targeting more dangerous areas where moving violations are concentrated. Just a friendly suggestion: earn revenue and please the community.

Does South Cove really have a floating trash problem?

As the city and state battle over the income generated from Battery Park City, some have tried to have the South Cove water area filled in and developed into more unsightly crackerbox condo units for pure tax generation benefits. One argument in favor of doing this has been that South Cove collects trash from the Hudson.

On March 6, these two photos were taken. South Cove was actually debris-free, while the North Cove marina was full of driftwood and trash.

North Cove

South Cove

The new Tire Swing Pork Park

May 8, 2010

The old “Tire Swing Park” was bulldozed last year over the protests of many families in Battery Park City. It was a park design with natural materials such as wood, sand, grass, etc. Families loved it because it offered rare shade in the summer time, among other reasons.

The new park is almost completed. The design incorporates considerable amounts of modern steel, concrete, and rubber.

The reviews are coming in, and they are not good. We realize that it might shape up over the next month.

One local resident wrote, “Not an ounce of F-en real grass!” Another wrote, “It resembles a new subway station or Frank Gehry building more than a natural playground.”

Decide for yourself. Post some comments.

Coalition to save Tire Swing Park

Battery Pork City

April 13, 2009

The New York Post writes about the corruption scandal of the BPCA

Ed Koch discusses homeless and politics

October 29

In the second part of our interview with Ed Koch, he discussed the growing homeless problem in Battery Park and how it is similar to New York City in the late 70’s when he was Mayor and the City was near bankruptcy. He also discusses the upcoming NY Governor’s election.

The deadly crossing

Construction on Route 9A, also known as The West Side Highway, and closure of the pedestrian bridge south of Albany Street have created a very dangerous situation. The ground-level crossing of The West Side Highway at Albany Street can be a death trap.

In February of 2009, Battery Park City resident Marilyn Feng was killed and her boyfriend seriously injured when a drunk driver struck the couple. Ms. Feng was an intern in Manhattan Borough president Scott Stringer’s office. In late September of 2009, another pedestrian was struck by a motorist, but he survived.

Funding for the permanent pedestrian overpass has been cancelled. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer discusses the problem.

A piece of Ireland in BPC, literally

October 26

James Gill, Chairman of the Battery Park City Authority, gives a tour of the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park City. The memorial was built in 2002 and features a reconstructed ancient stone house brought over from Ireland, along with authentic flowers and grasses on a manmade hillside. Along the path are stones representing different regions in Ireland, such as Dublin and Meath. At the top, one can view the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: the first places seen in America by many Irish immigrants.

New sod for the ball fields

March 20, 2010

The ball fields north of Goldman Sachs were turned to mud after the Fall soccer and Winter ice rink. After debating whether to convert to artificial turf, the decision to reinstall grass was made. Real grass is a rarity for urban kids and BatteryPark.TV strongly supports the continued use of grass. Take a look at the installation of the sod. The same company put in Yankee Stadium turf.

BPC Meeting to discuss Tire Swing Park

Rector Park

Our featured park of the week is Rector Park on Rector place and South End Avenue. Enjoy the footage from a quiet Fall Sunday morning.