As part of our listening session series for the next Comprehensive Waterfront Plan, several stakeholder organizations came together to discuss their priorities for the northern Queens waterfront (East River to the north and west to Little Neck Bay to the east). The group discussed ways of fostering a ‘waterfront identity’, including year-round programming that would encourage people to visit their nearest waterfront (Flushing Bay and Creek, for example). These could be cleanups or fishing clinics, for example, and should be free to attend. In order to host these events, various coalitions would need to be developed between nonprofits and other community organizations. Additional signage that leads to the waterfront from Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the Queens Museum was also mentioned as a way to increase visibility and community engagement between the major cultural and recreational resources in the area.

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].

Let us know what you think about the topic on the Share Your Thoughts page.

As part of NYC Planning’s listening session series, several stakeholder organizations focused on tributaries along the East River met to discuss their priorities related to ecology and industrial waterfronts in relation to the next Comprehensive Waterfront Plan (CWP). Following a brief presentation on the CWP, attendees introduced themselves and shared their top three priorities and concerns related to NYC’s waterfront. Common topics included programming & the experience of waterfront spaces, maintenance and regulatory processes, and water quality, ecology, and combined sewer overflows (CSOs). Cutting across specific topics was a desire to see longer-term (100-yr) planning horizons, meaningful public engagement, and more reflection on past decisions and how they have shaped the waterfront today. Participants pointed to underutilized industrial areas as places of opportunity for ecological improvement. They advocated for a “complete utilization” of NYC’s shorelines, especially in areas where shoreline may not be actively used for maritime industrial purposes.

The Lower East River Access + New Development was the first program in a series of forums on The Future of the NYC Waterfront planned through a partnership by NYC Planning and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to conduct outreach, intending to inform the NYC Comprehensive Waterfront Plan: Vision 2030 through the Waterfront Management Advisory Board. This diverse panel of “East River experts” included designers, developers, and community representatives who presented their experiences and conflicting views on access and development along the Lower East River. After the panel presents, attendees held small roundtable discussions, where they had the opportunity to voice their own experiences and views, developing a vision for the future of the Lower East River. These group discussions were facilitated by moderators from AIANY Planning and Urban Design, Committee on the Environment, Design for Risk and Reconstruction, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. The Lower East River has been at the center of the New York City’s development and increased public waterfront access for decades. From the development of Brooklyn Bridge Park to the Seaport District, to creating a new type of industrial campus at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and rethinking the East River Park Greenway, the Lower East River has been the focus of experimentation in development and innovative designs.

Red Hook Regatta is a community event organized by the arts nonprofit Pioneer Works, where people gather on Valentino Pier to watch homemade boats navigate through the waters of New York Harbor. NYC Planning joined this event to talk about the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan and explore visions for the future of our waterfront.

City of Water Day is an event organized by the Waterfront Alliance to get people to, on, and in the water. NYC Planning joined other organizations and vendors at Pier 16 to engage with the public and explore their ideas for the future of the waterfront.

The first Randall’s Island Waterfront Festival celebrated the vibrant waterfront on the shores of Randall’s Island. NYC Planning joined to share information about the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan and help attendees to imagine the future of the waterfront with fun activities.

The Fish Parade is a mile-long procession through the streets of Hunts Point in the Bronx. It features a caravan of marchers and colorful floats highlighting environmental awareness and community advocacy. NYC Planning joined the street fair and connected with residents and visitors about their idea waterfront as they enjoyed the parade.