Thanks to the Harlem River Working Group, which we helped form, our waterfront is getting more attention and design treatment from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Students in Associate Professor Eran Ben-Joseph’s Site and Environmental Systems class applied their knowledge to envisioning an integrated waterfront access plan along the eastern banks of the Harlem River in Bronx, N.Y.

Park Avenue on the Harlem River, featured in the report, where we have worked to achieve greater access.

To generate strategies for reconnecting the river to its adjacent communities, twelve graduate students in DISP (Department of Urban Studies and Planning) took part in the Site and Environmental Systems class (11.304/4.255) with Professor Eran Ben-Joseph. Together they applied their knowledge to envisioning an integrated waterfront access plan along the western banks of the River in Bronx, New York. Partnering with city officials and local organizations, together they envisioned a pedestrian friendly Bronx.

READ MORE HERE.

Friends of Brook Park has been concerned that MIT, an institution with, at the start of Fiscal Year 2010, an endowment of $7.9 billion, will use this design study as a wedge to compete for grant funds with local organizations. For example, we believe they have put forward a proposal for funding through the South bronx Waterfront Partnership of WCS and NOAA funded by Rep. Serrano. This is a limited pool of $ that longstanding local groups rely on. Why should we have to compete when MIT has billions? Is there design work to support local communities, or to compete with them?

NYC has announced the Bike Share program.

You can vote where the locations may be! GEt it in the South Bronx!

Click and Visit here.

Zoom into Brook Park at East 141st Street and Brook Avenue in the South Bronx and you can add a new pin spot, or vote to “Support” one of the pins already placed there on the map!

Click on image for larger version.

We launched Brook Park Chickens – the blog!

If you want to contribute, let me know! We will list the goings-on of the park, schedules, photos and fun! Spread the word ’cause these chicks will have a lot to say! Please add yourself as a follower and post on Facebook!

Lily

A great time all day with teens from buildOn and then the Harlem River Greenway Guardians. Thanks to Simon Bolivar Foundation, whose team joined us on the water, who helps make this project possible! And the Bronx River Alliance for trailer support! So far we have taken out over 100 people this summer!

Read some of the accounts of the Harlem River Greenway Guardians below:

Today The Greenway Guardians went to Randall’s Island to go canoeing. While we was over there we learned that the Harlem River connects to the Bronx kill. We also learned that the Atlantic Ocean brings in water to the Harlem River. When I was on the canoe with Ambar we saw a Raspberry bush. I was shocked, because I didn’t think there would be a Raspberry bush in New York. Ambar taste the Raspberry and she said it was “tard”, I was going to taste one but mines had a bug on it. We tried to get to the bridge in our canoes but the rapids didn’t allow us to go farther, so we had to turn around. We let the current take us back. Overall, my experience was good. I had fun and I enjoyed it. I learned new things and also felt relaxed. – Catherine Alvarez

Today we went to Randall’s Island. It was really fun on the water with my cool instructor Khali. We even almost tipped completely over on the rapids. It caused a strong current; we went spinning and tipped half way over. It was a cool experience. – Jamal Rivera

Today at Randall’s Island, I had fun. I learned how to paddle a canoe. At first I was scared to go on the water. But, after I tried it I enjoyed it a lot. The current was really strong so e couldn’t go all the way over to our destination which was the bridge. I went on the canoe with Steven; he was interested in learning what C.S.O was so I explained it to him. I would actually like to go back one day. – Lynnell Wiggins

Today was a great day at Randall’s Island. We were canoeing and learning about rivers. I did two things today. I was recording on my first time on water. Then on my second time I went rowing. It was hard t first, because the rapids in the water turned around. But we got through it. Now I see how much water can affect this world. – John Ortiz

Today was my first experience canoeing and boy was it fun. The Greenway Guardians experienced and learned man things at Randall’s Island. I’m always a little afraid of water but this changed my experience and way of thinking. We got to meet many great people. We learned more about our rivers. I learned that nature can be more powerful than us. As we continued to stroll through the river, the current soon became stronger and turned into rapids. We all soon began to enjoy the water even more. – Barbara Prempeh

Thanks for sharing, two CSA programs meeting and working together! The Brooklyn Bridge CSA kindly helps to subsidize South Bronx CSA shares, spreading access to fresh organic vegetables for all! We weeded and harvetsed an abundance of veggies to distribute to volunteers!