Department of Parks & Recreation
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R-E-S-P-E-C-T: DOT to Install Sleek New Bike Parking Shelters
While the NYPD, Parks Department, MTA, unnamed authorities and, of course, bike thieves, busily clip locks and cart off New Yorkers' bicycles in great number, the Department of Transportation is making sure that not only do bike commuters have a classy spot to park outdoors, but their tushies won't get wet when it rains. Next month, cyclists will be happy to see the first of many new public bike-parking shelters popping up near transit hubs throughout the city. Word has it there was a bit of flexibility built in to the Cemusa bus shelter contract and DOT decided to get a bit creative and try this out. New York Magazine reports:
November 15, 2007
Speak Up for an Accessible Car-Free High Bridge
In other parks news, as reported on Streetsblog in June, the car-free High Bridge is poised to undergo a long-awaited restoration. Built as part of the Croton Aqueduct, the bridge connects Washington Heights in Manhattan with the Bronx neighborhood of High Bridge, near Yankee Stadium. In April, during his PlaNYC unveiling, Mayor Bloomberg announced that the city would be allocating $60 million to restore and reopen the High Bridge, which has been closed to the public since 1970; another $5 million will come from a Congressional earmark.
August 21, 2007
Car-Free Hours Extended in Prospect Park
Thanks to Streetsblog tipsters who've written in about the evening rush closure of Prospect Park's East Drive. This sign went up Friday at the corner of Parkside and Ocean Avenues.
August 21, 2007
Commish Benepe Gently Reminds “Parkies” to Drive Safely
For better and worse, the Parks Dept. seems to be popping up quite a bit lately. In July, Parks was spotted clipping locks and seizing bicycles in Forest Hills, Queens. And last week the agency revoked employee parking permits for Central Park's East Drive. This week, a tipster sends along this Aug. 6 e-mail sent by Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, pictured right, to Parks Dept. employees.
August 13, 2007
Central Park No Longer a Parking Lot for City Employees
According to a Streetsblog tipster, the Parks Dept. is finally cracking down on the numerous employees who have turned sections of Central Park into a parking lot. Below is a broadcast e-mail from Parks Dept. Assistant Commissioner and Senior Counselor Jack Linn to Parks Dept. employees. I have a call in to the Parks Dept. to verify this e-email. Here is the message that was reportedly sent out on Friday:
August 6, 2007
How Do Bike Seizures Fit Into Bloomberg’s “Green Plan”
On Tuesday afternoon the Parks Dept. seized dozens of bikes parked at the Forest Hills train station
July 13, 2007
Report: New Parks Dept. Policy to Clip Locks and Seize Bikes
Just in case you thought all of the bike-related news today was good, a Streetsblog tipster in Queens reports that Parks and Recreation Dept. agents were clipping bike locks and seizing bicycles in Forest Hills, Queens yesterday. She was told by a city employee that the bike seizures are part of a new, citywide Parks Dept. policy. I have a call in to the Parks Department public information office to confirm this story and find out what's going on. Here is her letter to Streetsblog:
July 12, 2007
Rage on the Bikeway
The Boston Globe ran a front-page story yesterday about confrontations among users of the super-popular tree-lined Minuteman Bikeway in Boston. Police have already filed more reports of clashes between users of the bikeway this year than the previous two combined. As the Arlington Police Chief noted, "We have road rage, and now we have bikeway rage."
July 2, 2007
City: Commuter Needs Will Factor into High Bridge Plan
A restored High Bridge will be open to commuting cyclists and pedestrians, but access time could be limited, officials said last week.
June 26, 2007
Central Park(ing Lot)
Editor's note: This is a 2006 story and, alas, has lost the original photos.
September 29, 2006
