Squadron, NYCEDC, “Paths To Pier 42” Announce Interim Use, Activities At Pier 42

NEW YORK – Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) announced continued interim use and active programming for the Pier 42 site this summer, with fellow members of the “Paths to Pier 42” partnership, and Community Board 3. They also announced that NYCEDC will be leading build-out of the full park project. Abatement and demolition of the shed at Pier 42 is slated to begin this Fall.

Squadron has advocated for active recreation at Pier 42 since 2012. For the second year in a row, NYCEDC has provided $50,000 in grants to support the programming. The LMCC-spearheaded “Paths to Pier 42” programming schedule is slated to begin with a City of Water Day collaboration event on July 15^th with activities that celebrate the waterfront. This and all events in the summer season will include family-friendly activities run with other organizations in “Paths to Pier 42,” including the return of last year’s successful Salsa music and dancing evening, as well as fishing clinics, citizen science activities and hands-on art, dance, and movement programming. Event information will be available in July at: www.pathstopier42.com

“Pier 42 is the rare case where we’re actually looking forward to construction. It’s great news we’ll continue interim use for these last few weeks before construction finally begins,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “Pier 42 will be a world class addition to New York’s Harbor Park -- a Central Park for the center of our city. Thank you to NYCEDC, LMCC and the full ‘Paths to Pier 42’ coalition, U.S. Senator Schumer, Community Board 3, LMDC, community members and my colleagues.”

“We are excited to partner with State Senator Squadron and Senator Schumer to provide funding and support for Paths to Pier 42 programming, and look forward to beginning build-out for Pier 42. Through this collaborative effort, we can continue to provide accessible, educational programming and activities for the Lower Manhattan community,” said NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett.

“Since 2013, the ‘Paths to Pier 42’ partnership has brought neighborhood residents, artists, designers and community organizations together to activate Pier 42 on the Lower East Side Waterfront as a temporary park space with art installations and public events. LMCC is proud to be a partner in this true collaborative effort to keep access and arts programming alive on Pier 42 while it awaits permanent transformation. Senator Squadron has been a true champion of this work, and we're grateful to him and to NYCEDC for their support,” said Andrew D. Hamingson, President of LMCC.

The Paths to Pier 42 coalition includes Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), Hester Street Collaborative, Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, and the Lower East Side Ecology Center.

“We thank Senator Squadron for his continued support of Pier 42 as open park space and a place where we can both celebrate arts and culture, and bring important community programming to the neighborhood. GOLES is excited for another chance to work with Path to Pier 42 partners to host summer activities,” said Damaris Reyes, Executive Director of Good Old Lower East Side.

“Lower East Side Ecology Center is excited to work with the Paths to Pier 42 partners for another season to offer engaging programming that connects more local residents and community members to their estuary and waterways,” said Christine Datz-Romero, Executive Director of Lower East Side Ecology Center.

“The Paths to Pier 42 initiative has been fundamental to engaging residents in the ongoing transformation of the Lower East Side waterfront into a more vibrant and resilient community asset. Hester Street is extremely grateful to Senator Squadron and NYC Parks for their dedication to and support of this process, and we are thrilled to see Pier 42 programming continue as we move towards construction of the permanent park,” Betsy MacLean, Executive Director of Hester Street Collaborative.

“We are grateful to Senator Squadron for his attention to activating Pier 42 again this summer. We are also grateful to LMCC for coordinating our efforts that will bring many community groups to the Pier to offer activities for children and families,” said Victor Papa, President of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council.

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Squadron and U.S. Senator Schumer have brought over $28 million to Pier 42, securing $16 million in 2012 and an additional $12 million last March, an effort supported by Community Board 3, and community members. Also in 2012, Squadron worked with the City to bring interim use to the space, which has continued since, in partnership with Paths to Pier 42.

Since 2013, the “Paths to Pier 42” project has brought neighborhood residents, artists, designers and community organizations together to activate Pier 42 on the Lower East Side Waterfront as a temporary park space with collaborative art installations and public events. A true collaborative effort, the project builds on neighborhood advocacy to create more accessible green, open space on the waterfront by increasing access, programming and interim use at the Pier 42 site.

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