Queens Civic Group Takes DPR Contractor and Management To Task In Kissena Park

"Despite hearing that the protection and preservation of public trees is a paramount concern by New York's Greenest, we continue to see a blatant disregard for those very trees (under the jurisdiction by NYC DPR) that we have placed such high value and regard. What is disturbing is the incorrigible behavior by DPR management who show poor judgement when it comes to our public tree assets." - The Kissena Park Civic Association

The Kissena Park Civic Association fired off a letter to Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh to alert him of some "disturbing behavior by a NYC DPR tree contractor and their DPR management supervision," according to Queens Crap. The group called out Dom's Tree Service and Wood Resource Recovery (Ocala FLA) for damaging not just the lawn area, "but compaction of soils and damage to the wide spreading and unseen root zones by heavy equipment." The group also called into question DPR management who were supposed to be responsible for overseeing the tree clean-up operation.

Queens

September 13, 2011

Commissioner Liam Kavanagh
NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
The Arsenal, Central Park
830 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10065

Dear Commissioner,

Members of the Kissena Park Civic Association, Flushing and the greater community have been asked to be stewards of Kissena Park - and so we alert you of some disturbing behavior by a NYC DPR tree contractor and their DPR management supervision.

On Saturday, September 10 a day after torrential rains that left the grassy landscape wet and soggy Dom's Tree Service and Wood Resource Recovery (Ocala FLA) staged a tree damage clean-up effort upon wet and soggy tree occupied soils. This operation occurred with authorization and supervision by Kissena Park M&O management. The attached photos reveal impacts not just to lawn area but compaction of soils and damage to the wide spreading and unseen root zones by heavy equipment. The trees impacted are several Samuel Parsons heritage trees and other current tree species. We are concerned because established mature trees growing in open landscapes have root systems that extend large distances beyond the tree drip-line and that the compaction of those root occupied soils will have a negative impact to whole tree health. We are reminded here of the 2004 NYC DPR Capital Kissena Park Lake Reconstruction project where DPR engineer(s) allowed a DPR contractor to utilize lawn areas for staging and storage of equipment and materials resulting in needless damages to parkland trees.

Despite hearing that the protection and preservation of public trees is a paramount concern by New York's Greenest, we continue to see a blatant disregard for those very trees (under the jurisdiction by NYC DPR) that we have placed such high value and regard. What is disturbing is the incorrigible behavior by DPR management who show poor judgement when it comes to our public tree assets. A park manager with a sound skill set would have simply directed this operation off of the lawn area.

To address the long-term health concerns of the heritage trees and to mitigate the damages by heavy equipment, remediation of tree root zones is duly needed. With the tree care technology currently available the KPCA wishes to see the root zones of these trees restored by pneumatic air-spade (to reduce the negative health impacts from soil compaction) followed by soil amendment, Rhizofuel, mulch and irrigation. This action should be performed by vetted certified arborists with supervision.

We acknowledge the potential by the Agency to do the right thing here and await a response with an effective plan of action from New York’s Greenest.

Thank you.

Kissena Park Civic Association

Parks needs more sensitive contractors

Queens Crap - September 18, 2011

Wolfe's Pond Faces Long And Expensive Recovery

An egret stalks a meal in what is left of Wolfe's Pond. The seaside pond is now a giant pit of mud after the fresh water was replaced with sea water when the berm separating the pond from the sea was destroyed during the visit by Hurricane Irene. Neighbors and visitors want a quick and sustainable fix to restore their beloved pond. (Photo: Deborah Young/Staten Island Advance)

Staten Island

As city, state and federal agencies scramble to decide how to bring back Wolfe’s Pond to what is now a gaping pit of ochre-colored mud, neighbors and visitors say the fix to the Prince’s Bay site cannot come quickly enough, according to The Staten Island Advance.

In one of the eeriest legacies of Irene, the 16-acre pond simply vanished into the raging sea when the strong tide broke through the sand berm designed to keep it intact.

It was the second time in as many decades the pond disappeared as a result of extreme weather.

“This is a big-time disappointment; it’s the perfect, ‘I told you so.’ They knew it was coming and they had done nothing about it all those years,” said Arthur Dennis, who noted that the mosquito population has exploded in the weeks since Irene, with bugs breeding in the shallow pools of muddy sludge. “It’s horrible, and when it’s hot, you get a bad smell.”

RESTORE JETTIES, ADD SPILLWAY

Dennis, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, said he and others are calling for the restoration of jetties and an additional spillway as part of the plan to remake the area.

“The jetty goes; the beach goes; the pond goes,” he said. The city Parks Department is responsible for the pond and adjoining park and beach. But the waterway is part of Staten Island’s Bluebelt system, and, as such, also under the auspices of the city Department of Environmental Protection.

Meanwhile Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) money is expected to be used toward repairs, and the Army Corps of Engineers may weigh in on the work.

“This is nothing short of an environmental disaster, and all agencies are working very well together to devise a plan for the pond to be able to be brought back,” said City Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore), who will be meeting with the Parks Department today.

“They are working collaboratively to come up with a short-term solution and looking at what to do in the long term to prevent this kind of weather erosion.”

The berm, constructed in 1920, was destroyed by the nor’easter of 1992.

Sandbags and other temporary measures kept the water from flowing out to sea for several months after the initial assault, but the battered site could not take the beatings from subsequent blizzards, thaws and high tides, and the water slowly began to drain away. It took two years and $3.4 million to upgrade the surrounding area and shore up Wolfe’s Pond — only for the water to gush out in a flash with Irene.”

“We are determining the best long-term solution to address the breach,” said Tara Kiernan, a spokeswoman for the Parks Department. The process is too new to be able to give a sense of the dollars involved or the possible scope of the project, she said.

“It’s depressing, just awful,” mused Fran Cavaliere of Eltingville, who visited the pond yesterday for the first time since Irene. Ms. Cavaliere typically comes to the park a few times a month with her grandsons to watch the turtles and ducks. “It is so beautiful usually, with the trees reflecting in the water, like a painting. I really hope they can fix it.”

The question of Wolfe’s Pond will be discussed during a meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee of Community Board 3 on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

“Something will be done, there is no question about it,” said CB 3 Chairman Frank Morano. “Everybody has to bear with it. It will be fixed. We want to come up with the best plan.”

Read More:

Wolfe's Pond, damaged yet again by a storm, faces a long, complex and expensive recovery

Staten Island Advance - September 13, 2011 - By Deborah E. Young

Brooklyn Added To Federal Hurricane Irene Aid Grant

Brooklyn

Community leaders applauded a decision Friday that will grant federal aid to Brooklyn in the wake of Irene.

The borough was the only one in the city not declared a major disaster area earlier this week.

Borough President Marty Markowitz complained about being left off the list since he said Brooklyn sustained more than $25 million of damage.

Markowitz said he's glad the borough is getting public assistance and added that it should have never been in doubt.

The new declaration means Brooklyn will receive money for debris removal and repairs to damaged facilities.

Several upstate counties were also added to the list today, meaning homeowners, renters, and businesses owners will receive financial help.

Read/View More:

Brooklyn To Receive Federal Aid For Post-Irene Repairs

By NY1 News - September 2, 2011

Beaches Reopened After Hurricane Irene

A Walk In The Park - September 1, 2011

Beaches Reopened After Hurricane Irene

Downed Tree - Carl Schurz Park - Manhattan, August 31, 2011. (Photo:© Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on image to enlarge.

Press Releases

Thursday, September 01, 2011

NYC Parks' "Hurricane Irene Recovery" Update

Today, the Parks Department re-opened city beaches with the exception of the hard-hit Staten Island beaches at Midland, South, Wolfe’s Pond and Cedar Grove, where water testing by DOH continues, and sections of Rockaway, where erosion and boardwalk damage have limited opportunities for swimming. All nature centers, recreation centers, outdoor pools, marinas and zoos are operating on a normal schedule and all Urban Park Ranger programs have resumed. “While Hurricane Irene may have weakened somewhat as it hit New York City, it still packed a hard punch, leaving thousands of trees down or damaged on streets and in parks,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “With almost 9,000 calls received by 311 about tree conditions across the five boroughs, Parks Department staff is working hard to inspect, assess, and address the conditions. We ask the public’s patience as we work to clear streets and remove trees from houses and cars.” As of today, Parks has received approximately 9,000 storm-related 311 calls – more than 1,000 new calls within the last 24 hours alone. Over 6,000 inspections have been completed and over 2,300 emergency conditions have been addressed. The damage to trees within parks has not yet been calculated, but is projected to be an additional 1,000 trees down and tens of thousands of limbs down. Tree service requests for storm-related damage can be reported through 311 or at www.nyc.gov/parks. The final determination is not yet available, but there may be less damage to trees from the impact of Irene than after last year’s tornadoes of mid-September, when 4,000 trees were downed in 15 minutes. We will soon know if we meet or surpass that number. While that damage was concentrated in Staten Island, Queens, and Brooklyn, Hurricane Irene’s eye swept directly over the city with tropical storm-force winds and created widespread damage and flooding rather than a narrow band of destruction. Two years ago, a microburst downed over 500 trees in Central Park alone, with hundreds more affected in Riverside Park, Randall’s Island, Pelham Bay Park and on streets in a matter of minutes. This time, many parks and playgrounds along the Bronx River were flooded, as were parts of Staten Island, including Willowbrook Park. Preparedness for the storm made a significant difference in the efficiency with which needs were addressed and continue to be resolved. Parks’ Forestry division, both staff and emergency contract crews, were housed in parks facilities in advance of the storm to prepare and in order to quickly address priority conditions despite power outages and curtailment of mass transit. This in combination with the Office of Emergency Management’s coordination of several agencies, including DEP, DOT, Police, Fire, Con Ed, and Sanitation, all of whom have made it possible to expedite what otherwise would have taken weeks instead of days. In the first 24 hours after the storm ended, Parks staff, along with SCOUT and the National Guard, completed a field survey of all primary roadways citywide. At that time, there were 966 primary street blockages reported. As of 10am this morning (9/1), Parks has confirmed through re-inspection that 696 of these primary roadway issues have been resolved (72%). The remaining 270 issues are being re-inspected today. We estimate that at least 75 of these are already cleared and complete, approximately 80% in total. Our forestry crews will focus today on resolving the remaining primary street blockages. New Yorkers are urged to continue to exercise caution in using parks and playgrounds citywide. Many have suffered severe tree damage and flooding, and inspections and assessments continue. Areas within these public spaces are cordoned off where necessary. Hurricane Irene will be remembered as a major storm and has caused significant flooding affecting fascia boards on boardwalks, the breach of a sea wall berm in Staten Island at Wolfe’s Pond Park as well as a sea wall on the Shore Parkway promenade in Brooklyn. Parks along the waterfront were flooded, with storm surge hurtling sometimes as much as four feet of water in places such as Barretto Park and Soundview in the Bronx, where the Bronx River tripled in size, and completely covering Orchard Beach and Rockaway as well as Staten Island beaches. The surge covered boardwalks, shifted sand, and crept into the adjoining neighborhoods. Small parks and large shared the destruction, with big parks such as Prospect Park and Central Park losing an average of 30 to 40 trees each. Tompkins Square Park lost a beloved 100-year-old elm. And even tiny Bleecker playground and its sitting area lost three trees. In city playgrounds across the city where flooding occurred, safety surface rubber mats floated but remained on site and will be reinstalled during the clean-up. http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/press_releases/press_releases.php?id=21011 Read More: Hurricane Irene Park Aftermath Photos A Walk In The Park - August 29, 2011

Mandatory Evacuation Issued for NYC Coastal Areas

NYC Hurricane Evacuation Zone layer for Google Earth

Google Earth users can download the data files for New York City's Hurricane Evacuation Zones. The Hurricane Evacuation Zones are based on storm surge models created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This file can be used to display where facilities and assets are located in relation to NYC's Hurricane Evacuation zones.

Download NYC Hurricane Evacuation Zone layers for Google Earth

With Storm Near, 370,000 in City Get Evacuation Order

New York Times - August 26, 2011 - By James Barron

Mandatory Evacuation Issued for NYC Coastal Areas Due to the approach of Hurricane Irene, the City has issued amandatory evacuation order for New Yorkers who live in the low-lying Zone “A” coastal areas in all five boroughs. This includes all parts of the Rockaways due to its exposure to the ocean. People should be out of these areas by 5PM on Saturday. Residents who live in Zone A are strongly encouraged to stay with friends or family outside an evacuation zone. Evacuation Centers will be open Friday at 4 PM for residents who have no alternative shelter. MTA service including subways, buses, and railroads will begin to shut down at noon tomorrow, so please prepare to evacuate immediately. *Use the HURRICANE EVACUATION ZONE FINDER to find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone *Due to unusually high traffic this site may be slow. Please be patient or download a map of the NYC hurricane evacuation zones (PDF) * PLEASE NOTE: Evacuation Center Changes The Evacuation Center marked on the NYC hurricane evacuation zone map as Aqueduct Racetrack, Rockaway Blvd. and 108th Street, Queens, is being replaced by John Adams High School, 101-01 Rockaway Blvd., Ozone Park, 11417. The Evacuation Center marked on the NYC hurricane evacuation zone map as Christ the King H.S. has been moved to Grover Cleveland H.S. Check the zone finder or call 311 for updated information. The Evacuation Center at JHS 57, 125 Stuyvesant Avenue, Brooklyn, is being closed. The center will be moved to PS26, 1010 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn. The Evacuation Center marked in the NYC hurricane evacuation zone map as HS of Graphic Communication Arts, 439 West 49 St., Manhattan, is being replaced byPark West High School, 525 West 50 St., Manhattan. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for NYC. Make sure youremergency supply kits and Go Bags are ready to go with supplies like water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, flashlights, a battery-operated radio, and extra batteries. Learn more about hurricanes and NYC Download Ready New York: Hurricanes and New York City

	News and Announcements Read the latest press release (at NYC.gov) The MTA Bus and Subway system will begin an orderly system shut down at noon, Saturday, August 27. MTA urges customers to check www.mta.info frequently and to consider the impacts of this storm when making travel plans throughout the weekend.Depending on the effect of the storm, MTA service may or may not be restored in time for rush hour Monday morning. Check with your employers regarding business openings on Monday. Beginning at noon on Saturday, August 27, JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia Airports will close for arriving domestic and international flights. These airports will remain open for departing flights pending further updates. Please check with your carrier before departing. Commuter ferry services operated by the Economic Development Corporation will stop after Friday’s rush hour. All New York City beaches are closed as of 6 PM on Friday, August 26. NYC Parks' recreation centers and outdoor swimming pools will be closed Saturday, August 27, and Sunday, August 28, and will remain closed until further notice. Marinas run by the Parks Department will be closed starting 6 PM Saturday, and all customers will be required to leave. For more information on specific events and parks, visit the Park's Department website. All work at construction sites in New York City is suspended as of 2 PM Saturday, August 27, to 7 AM Monday, August 29. All CUNY campuses and offices will be closed on Saturday, August 27, and Sunday August 28. For more information, please check the individual campus websites or cuny.edu. City permits are being revoked for street fairs, block parties, and similar events on Sunday, and in Zone A – low-lying areas – on Saturday as well. Similar restrictions are being placed on outdoor TV and film permits. Due to the weather advisories for this weekend, please call to make sure Workforce1 Career Center or NYC Business Solutions Centers are open before visiting on Monday, August 29. Updates on big events in and around NYC The Dave Matthews concert on Governors Island that was scheduled for Friday night will go ahead, but the concert scheduled for Saturday and Sunday nights are cancelled. The Mets games for Saturday and Sunday have been cancelled. Fans going to the Jets-Giants game Saturday over in New Jersey should know that MTA service will likely not be available to them. If they can get back to New York City, they won’t be able to get around because the buses and subways will not be running. Taxis, livery cabs, and commuter vans will adopt a zone fare system Saturday morning at 9 AM. For details, read the TLC press release. http://prtl-prd-web.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/nycsevereweather/weather_home.shtml

Parks Department Hurricane Warning - Beaches, Pools, Rec. Centers Closed

Important Parks Department Service Changes Due to Hurricane Irene

In preparation for Hurricane Irene, the Parks Department will close all beaches at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2011. NYC Parks' recreation centers and outdoor swimming pools will close on Saturday, August 27, 2011. These facilities are closed until further notice. For more information about the hurricane and ways to be prepared, please visit www.nyc.gov/severeweather.

We urge people to stay out of parks and off sidewalks, in the event of falling trees or branches. To report downed trees or branches, please call 311. In case of emergency, please call 911.

http://www.nycgovparks.org/stormupdate/

The following facilities are closed or will be partially closed as of Saturday, August 27. This information will be updated as it is available:

• All City beaches close at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 26.
• All Parks recreation centers will be closed on Saturday, August 27.
• All City swimming pools will be closed on Saturday, August 27.
• All nature centers in parks will be closed effective Saturday, August 27.
• Greenmarkets citywide will be closed all weekend.
• Liberty Island and Ellis Island will be closed on Saturday, August 27.
• Central Park, Prospect and Flushing Meadows Corona Park Zoos will be closed on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28.

The following events are cancelled this weekend:

• All Urban Park Ranger public and private programs beginning 6 p.m. on Friday, August 26, until further notice.
  • The Alley Pond Park Adventure Course
  • Public Explorer programs scheduled for Saturday, August 27, and Sunday, August 28. They will not be rescheduled.
• Arthur Ashe Kids Day, Saturday, August 27.
• New York Mets home games are cancelled on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28.
• All practice sessions for the U.S. Open, Sunday, August 28.
• Brooklyn Cyclones home game on Sunday, August 28.
• The Afro Punk Festival in Brooklyn.