October’s CB2 and CB3 meetings delivered plenty of drama.
The CB2 meeting was held at the usual location at the NYU Gould Welcome Center on Oct. 22. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation announced several new community efforts in November, including bench painting at Stuyvesant Square Park.
Council Member Harvey Epstein announced several events. On Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be an e-waste recycling event; on Nov. 18, from 12 to 1 p.m. there will be a vegan roast and veggie giveaway at his District Office at 55 Ave. C; and on Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., there will be a street tree event taking place at the Clyde Romero Memorial Garden on 213 E Seventh St.
The 6th Police Precinct Community Council is partnering with Northwell Health’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center to sponsor a free online children’s safety program. To register for the free one-hour training in childproofing your home and first aid, email 6pccnyc@gmail.com.
CB3’s meeting at PS 20 on Oct. 27 had some surprise guests with members of the 7th Police Precinct present. They were in attendance to monitor some disorderly protestors with signs with “Save The Court!” and “Save The Bar!” from the local community representing the housing projects like Baruch Houses, Lilian Ward, Jacob Riis, and Compost Plaza and other projects of the Lower East Side.
Residents and community advocates are fighting against the New York City Parks Department over the $10-million renovation of Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. The Parks Department plans to demolish and close down the iconic adult fitness calisthenics pull-up bars and courts for up to two years.
Many members of the community showed up to the CB3 meetings and passionately spoke against the Park’s Department’s plan.
“We’re not against refreshing the park, but we’re against closing it for 18 months!” said lifelong member of the Lower East Side on Avenue D, Jamal Kerwin. “Two years ago, I was on the brink of death, drinking every night and partying every night and hospitalized multiple times. Tompkins Square Park and the FDR area helped saved my life.” said Kerwin. “Today, me and my NLB crew provide free workouts with people coming home from prison, kids aspiring to be athletes and people of all ages. Nobody gets judged and everybody belongs!” he said. “I’m scared of losing the place that helped me recover and change my life. Where are we supposed to go? These pull-up bars aren’t just pull-up bars. They’re. therapy, recovery, community and family. We lost enough of the neighborhood and 18 months is too long!”
Crowds of local community residents with their signs cheered Kerwin on his statement fighting against the demolishing of the adult center at Tompkins Square Park. Council Member Harvey Epstein made an appearance. “I want to give a background on the issue. Three years ago we advocated state money for repairing the pools in the park and we had meetings with the Parks Department about feedback around the proposal for the exercise equipment. We really want to rehab the pools, but the exercise equipment is in good condition and we want to keep the exercise equipment” Epstein said.
Representatives from Park’s came to the meeting with a presentation of the revised plan of the northeast side of Tompkins Square Park .
Many of the local residents irritably booed in response to the plan. “We believe the issues here go way beyond a repair job,” responded Steve Simon, chief of staff at NYC Parks. “It’s not a question of being able to repair the existing equipment and it’s not something we believe is even within a scope of a repair job.” he said.
“Prove it!” shouted the local members of the local community and the Parks Department ended the Q&A portion of the presentation. This angered the audience even more. One member shouted, “What about Washington Square Park?” and threats were hurled toward the Parks staffers. Next, it was voted that the issue with Park’s Department would be moved to next month, which resulted in many people storming out of the community board meeting.
The November CB2 full meeting will be held on Nov. 19 at the NYU Gould Welcome Center, and CB3 full board November meeting will be held at PS 20 on Nov. 24.
