A flood gate is installed in the northern section of the park in February 2022. Image Credit: DDC.
On May 31, 2023, Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley, Economic Development Corporation Executive Vice President Josh Kraus, elected officials, and community leaders celebrated the opening of the northern section of Stuyvesant Cove Park. The opened section of the park runs from East 20th Street to East 23rd Street along the East River; the remaining section of the park from East 18th Street to East 20th Street is expected to open this summer.
The park is the second portion of the East Side Coastal Resiliency project to open to the public. The East Side Coastal Resiliency project is a $1.45 investment to provide flood protection and new open spaces for residents in the Lower East Side along the East River. Parts of the area suffered from major damage following Superstorm Sandy in 2012; the infrastructure improvements include a 2.4 mile long flexible flood barrier and upgraded sewer systems to handle precipitation in storms.
The fully complete park will feature 75 new planted trees, 579 new shrubs and 7,095 cubic yards of soil. The park will feature 1,180 feet of concrete precast seating areas which also function as structures to break up the force of waves approaching the floodwall. Decorative railings, benches and tables have also been added. The park’s floodwall is 1,340 feet long, not including the gates.
For CityLand’s coverage of the first completed portion of the project, Asser Levy Playground, click here.
DDC Commissioner Foley stated, “New York City’s newest park serves a dual purpose, helping the City respond to climate change and the threat of storms and rising seas while also being a world-class waterfront recreation area. Stuyvesant Cove Park is now integrated with 1,400 feet of new floodwalls and two new flood gates that can be closed when needed to protect the 128,000 people who live in the area that will be protected by East Side Coastal Resiliency. The design truly is the most advanced in the country for flood protection projects that also maintain waterfront access and provide leisure and exercise areas.”
Council Majority Leader Keith Powers stated, “Stuyvesant Cove Park is a beloved green space near and dear to me and many in the community. As summer begins, I am pleased to see it reopen with millions of dollars’ worth of upgrades, including a new flood wall and gate. These critical investments will keep over 100,000 New Yorkers safe from floods and rising sea levels as we confront the realities of climate change.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)