East River Park

This article is about the park in Lower Manhattan. For the park in Brooklyn, see East River State Park. For the park in Queens formerly known as East River Park, see Astoria Park. For the park in Upper Manhattan formerly known as East River Park, see Carl Schurz Park.

East River Park
Map
LocationManhattan, New York
Coordinates40°43′03″N 73°58′27″W / 40.71750°N 73.97417°W / 40.71750; -73.97417
Etymologynamed after John V. Lindsay
StatusPartially Open / Under Construction
The walkway in the park, with decades old trees (all to be demolished) which runs along the FDR Drive

East River Park, also called John V. Lindsay East River Park, is 57.5-acre (20 ha) public park located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, administered by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Bisected by the Williamsburg Bridge, it stretches along the East River from Montgomery Street up to 12th Street on the east side of the FDR Drive. Its now-demolished amphitheater, built in 1941 just south of Grand Street, had been reconstructed and was often used for public performances.[1][2] The park includes football, baseball, and soccer fields; tennis, basketball, and handball courts; a running track; and bike paths, including the East River Greenway, all of which are to be demolished. Fishing is another popular activity, for now.

The park and the surrounding neighborhood were flooded during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 prompting the city officials to consider flood mitigation plans that would alter it. In December 2019, the New York City Council voted to approve the controversial $1.45 billion East Side Coastal Resiliency project, involving the park's complete demolition and subsequent renovation, and is slated for completion in 2026. A New York Harbor Storm-Surge Barrier is also under consideration, which would also demolish and rebuild this and other parks.

  1. ^ "East River Park - Historical Sign". New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  2. ^ Perler, Elie (January 3, 2022). "East River Amphitheater in Ruins After 80-Year Run". Bowery Boogie. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022.