NYC Greenway sign remains on South Beach Bike/Ped Path. Photo by Meredith Sladek
Staten Island beachgoers are now able to roll, ride, and perambulate freely upon the bicycle/pedestrian path on South Beach. The week-old fence, erected June 29th by the Parks Department at the request of nearby catering hall Vanderbilt, was officially retracted by the city.
The fence, allegedly a measure to increase safety by cutting off the path where it runs in front of the Vanderbilt, brought the opposite outcome by forcing path traffic through the nearby playground, out onto the bike lane on Father Capodanno Blvd (a main road notorious for careless driving and motorist-cyclist conflict), or onto the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk on the beach, where bicycles are only allowed between the hours of 5 AM- 10 PM and rollerbladers cannot easily skate.
On Friday, July 2nd, Bike Staten Island, an all-inclusive social cycling group who meets the first Friday of every month at Boro Hall, held an informational/protest ride along the greenway to the fence, with approximately two dozen participants. The next day, the Transportation Alternatives Staten Island Volunteer Committee petitioned by the fence and collectively obtained 663 signatures over three days from concerned parkgoers and residents alike.
Many citizens launched complaints on their own with 311, the Parks Department, and local officials. NY1 did a story on the issue and offered to cover a rally planned for this weekend. The fence, however, was reported down by Wed, July 7th, and confirmed an official act by the Parks Department on Thursday, July 8th.
While this is an unquestionable victory for public land use over the encroachment of private interest, as well as a stunning show of unity among Staten Islanders of all backgrounds, many obstacles still remain to an unfettered park and path. The Vanderbilt has also blocked off to the public a portion of the beach for their own use, and continues to impede the path with their own valet parking with the blessing of Borough President Molinaro. (If interested in assisting with abovementioned issues, contact volunteer@transalt.org or meredith@transalt.org.)
At the end of the day, if nothing else, this event proved the efficacy of the public in enacting change for the common good while reclaiming the park for whom it was intended--the people. Many thanks to all who helped make this a reality.
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