Marty Disses Coney Concrete Plan
At a community board meeting last week, the Parks Department announced its intention to replace five blocks of the Coney Island boardwalk—and possibly more in the future—with concrete. According to The Daily News, the news was met with “shouts and hisses” from the crowd, a sentiment that was echoed afterwards by Borough President Marty Markowitz….
At a community board meeting last week, the Parks Department announced its intention to replace five blocks of the Coney Island boardwalk—and possibly more in the future—with concrete. According to The Daily News, the news was met with “shouts and hisses” from the crowd, a sentiment that was echoed afterwards by Borough President Marty Markowitz. “We should not hastily turn our legendary Coney Island Boardwalk into just another concrete sidewalk,” Markowitz wrote to Parks Commish Adrian Benepe. And as for the Parks Department’s argument that the concrete was more ecologically sound, Marty was having none of it: “You can find other sustainable hardwoods out there besides tropical hardwoods,” he said. “Cement doesn’t do it.”
Boardwalk Plan a Concrete Bungle [NY Daily News]
Photo by Egan-Chin for Daily News
Being from New Jersey, I’m a fan of the wooden boardwalk. The shore towns in N.J. have managed to maintain their boards year after year. If you walk a lot in the city (as I do) concrete can become jarring on your body. It’s nice to be able to go to a seaside town within the city and walk on something other than concrete. The wooden boards, which flex when you walk on them, combined with the ocean air, make for a relaxing break.
I saw the work going on this past summer, adding portions of concrete, and it made me want to to cry. Coney Island always seems like a sad, neglected version of other seaside towns that haven’t let their communities go to seed. Continuing with the concrete portion would just add to the pathetic nature of Coney Island, not improve it.
On my first visit to Venice Beach, L.A., in the late 90’s I was brought to their “boardwalk.” It was made of asphalt. Venice was also once a lovely and booming seaside town with attractions and a real wooden boardwalk.
I have to agree with Marty, who I believe is speaking for many people in the community who also dislike the concrete walkway.
Oostende, Belgium is also concrete/pavers.
I walked from Brighton Beach to Beer Island just last weekend. The wooden portion feels and looks much better. And as an NYC taxpayer I am paying for it every day.
FSRG;
Rimini and Lido Beach in Italy, and Nice in France. In fact virtually all of the towns along the French Riviera use concrete or pavers. Check them out.
PS: I know you’ve been a big advocate of adopting shelter dogs in some of the past threads. So, FYI: my wife and I adopted a dog at North Shore this past weekend.
Sorry guys, but I have to take a picture of this moment: fsrq is holding out for original materials, while benson is using the “European Defense”. Oh, the irony! 🙂
I’m with fsrq on this one.
No tybur6 I dont think the wooden walkway is the draw for the Brooklyn Bridge (nor did I say it was) – BUT the Boardwalk IS a draw for CI and I think concrete cheapens the “beach” feel and historic nature of the Boardwalk – which, since that is essentially what CI is selling is NOT cost effective.
Benson you have an example of these European towns?
fsrq — I’d be perfectly happy with a more durable, cost-effective material for the Brooklyn Bridge walkway. Do you honestly think *that* is the draw? Do you think there would be a 20% drop in visitors to the Brooklyn Bridge if they made it out of synthetic planking? (Those sawdust/epoxy/plastic planks they use in many cities for park benches would be a great!)
FSRG;
Many seaside resort cities, particularly in Europe, have opted for concrete or pavers. If done RIGHT, it does not “cheapen” the experience.
Who gives a shit what it is made of. Ever try riding your bike on a boardwalk??, not fun.
let it be concrete and call it a day
don’t we have better things to gripe about.
a freaking boardwalk, really, people????