As part of the Public Forums series on the NYC Comprehensive Waterfront Plan, NYC Planning and the Waterfront Alliance hosted a meeting on Waterfront Development, Public Access and In-Water Access. There were more than 90 attendees from nonprofit and community groups in NY and NJ, including a number of boathouses and recreational groups; advocacy organizations in the environment and open space sectors; government representatives; urban planners, architects and engineers; and citizens with a general interest in the waterfront. Attendees discussed a range of topics, including barriers to directly accessing the water, water quality and the desire for softer shorelines and wetland restoration, and the importance of community engagement, programming and stewardship. Attendees noted the range and improvement of environmental conditions, and the active community of professionals and volunteers supporting this diverse work. Participants also noted limitations of current physical access, equity and engagement concerns, and the threat of increased development and changing shoreline due to climate change.

View the presentation on Waterfront Access for All [PDF].

Read the notes from the session [PDF].

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