City Refutes Study Saying Tribeca Park Neglected For 100 Years

Since this story was first published, the city has provided evidence that $715,000 was spent on this park in 2004. Patch has been unable to ask the Center for Urban Future why this was not factored into its study.

TRIBECA, NY — A study into a unique Tribeca green space commonly used for lounging and public art projects has not seen major renovations or infrastructure upgrades in at least 100 years, according to a review of the city's parks carried out by the Center for an Urban Future.

The city's Parks Department denied the claim, pointing out that Tribeca Park was rehabilitated just 14 years ago with improvements that "included expanded landscaping pathway enhancements, improved seating and a decorative multi-use area."

The city also provided evidence that $715,000 was spent on that project.

Public policy think tank the Center for Urban Future said it based its analysis on public infrastructure data and funds allocated toward projects — this includes historical data collected by the Parks Department, interviews with parks officials and project work records dating back to 1996, according to a spokeswoman with the center.

The group defines major investment as parks projects that target infrastructure issues including drainage systems, retaining walls, rest stations, bridge and pathway work and major horticulture projects. Routine maintenance or minor cosmetic repairs under $10,000 are not included.

Patch was unable to contact the group to ask why the $715,000 project didn't feature in its report.

The boomerang shaped Tribeca Park — bounded by Beach Street and West Broadway to the west and Walker Street and Sixth Avenue to the east — is a popular rest spot for locals and currently features a brightly painted piano as part of Sing For Hope, where musically inclined New Yorkers can play the dominos for fellow park goers.

The parkland was bought by the city for $3,950 in 1810 and was originally part of what was once Lispenard Swamp. For a time the green space was known as Beach Street Park, but in the 1980s adopted its current name in tribute to the surrounding neighborhood, according to Parks Department records.

The center's report looked at public parks across the city and reported that several of New York's green spaces are turning into wastelands because of aging and neglect. Researchers found that 20 percent of parks across the city haven't had an infrastructure upgrade in 25 years — the last time a city park underwent major renovations was in 1997.

Manhattan has the lion's share of older parks in New York, with an average age of 86 years. The average age of a Bronx park is 74, Brooklyn and Queens come in at 72, and Staten Island at 51, according to the study.

The report praises Mayor de Blasio for taking steps to address infrastructure problems, but also urges for the city to boost funding for upgrades — some of which the Parks Department says is already in the works.

“Capital programs including the $318-million, 65-park Community Parks Initiative and the $150-million Anchor Parks project are bringing the first structural improvements in generations to sites from playgrounds to large flagship parks,” said Crystal Howard, a Parks Department spokeswoman.

“Looking forward, initiatives like the newly funded catch basin program and an ongoing capital needs assessment program will ensure that NYC Parks needs are accounted for and addressed in the years to come."

Photos courtesy of the Parks Department