Williamsburg State Park Opens to Little Fanfare
After several years of anticipation, the as-yet-unnamed State Park at North 9th Street on the Williamsburg waterfront opened on Saturday to little fanfare. There were no picnic tables, no jungle gyms and (much to our chagrin when we stopped by on Sunday) not even a tree to seek shade under, but Williamsburg inhabitants still seemed…
After several years of anticipation, the as-yet-unnamed State Park at North 9th Street on the Williamsburg waterfront opened on Saturday to little fanfare. There were no picnic tables, no jungle gyms and (much to our chagrin when we stopped by on Sunday) not even a tree to seek shade under, but Williamsburg inhabitants still seemed pleased (if slightly underwhelmed) to have an alternative to Grand Ferry Park for accessing the East River. It’s nice, said Paul Jenkins, a musician, told The New York Times. But it looks a little parched, like an afterthought, or that they didn’t put much love into it. The 7.5-acre park (which the state bought for $7.3 million) is said to have “recreational facilities” and longer hours in its future, but for now it remains accessible (to only the dog-less and bike-less) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. Did any readers stop by this weekend? What did you think?
Modest Space, but It Does Have a View [NY Times]
New Williamsburg Park’s Opening Day! [Gowanus Lounge]
Yes, We’re Open! [I’m Not Sayin’]
So if you played frisbee with a dog you would really end up in Fed. prison.
John (10:28), the $7M was for the land acquisition. Very little money has been spent on development.
1:26, yes, development of the park has been discussed for years. But this is a unique site with a unique history that is too long to narrate here but explains most, but not all, of the delay. That said, this is not the final design for the park, so more waiting is in store. At least now there is legal access to the property.
And if dogs aren’t allowed, who is in the middle of the five-some in the photo at the top of the thread?
You forgot to mention that frisbees and ball playing are also “illegal” at the park. You’re only allowed to look around.
1:18 and others. I used to own a dog in NYC and I know exactly what it entails. It has nothing to do with rage nor my feelings. Just don’t appreciate lazy assholes who will be letting theirs crap the lawn without scooping it. If they feel the need to do that, then build them a dog run. Guess we should just open up the Sheep Meadow for dogs as well and assume no one will be lying down in shit.
You all must be quite intelligent that you can psycho-analyze someone by a one line post.
Dogs ar very important to many New Yorkers. They provide companionship, exercise and an easy way to meet new people. Studies have shown that older folks with dogs tend to live longer. Parks are made for kids and dogs. A visit to Central Park or Prospect Park on a nice spring day will confirm that. One has to be pretty embittered or unhappy to rail agaisnt puppy dogs in parks.
2:00 – point well taken but the problem is that same ‘dog owner’ probably is also raising children that are (or will be) likely far more dangerous to you and your kids then any dog – which is why it is nice to walk with a big dog.
The simple solution is to allow dog walking (i.e. on path/pavement) on (short) lease only. But when dealing with Albany, common snese is rarely involved.
I don’t think 1.05 has “rage issues” (unless you are using New York Post-style hyperbole). Lazy people are often lazy in many aspects of their lives – clearly there are lazy dog owners who don’t clear up. Just go and sit on the grass without looking below you in the grand ferry park if you don’t think so. You’ll get a nasty surprise.
And why is it mean-spirited to ban dogs? There are dog-owners (I use that term loosely) in the large rent-stabilized building opposite me who keep dogs that have been bred for hundreds of years for fighting purposes, specially selected for those characteristics, now cooped up in the city. My neighbor with children is more than happy to use a park where those dogs won’t be walking around. Afterall, you can still take your dog to McCarren.
This isn’t an attack on your little pooch – don’t take it so personally. Its perfectly reasonable to have a dog-free park in an area where there are alternatives.
dogs poop, Cats rule, people suck who don’t clean up poo I moved away from willy burg in 1994 and they were talkin about a park then. glad to see it got built after all these years. Kinda of pathetic it took so long. Gee thanks new york I am glad my taxes are working.
Dear 1:05
you should get a dog, it may help you with your rage issues.