In the News: A Riverfront Oasis Replaces a Bleak Lot in a Bleak Area

Far upstream from the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, communities are working to improve the environmental quality of, and access to, their waterfronts. The impacts of these efforts are not inconsequential to the overall health of the ecosystem, as what happens in the Westchester, Mahwah and even Albany eventually trickles down to the shores of our estuary. A recent waterfront park opening at Hunt's Point in the Bronx highlighted that strides are being made throughout the watershed to improve water quality and access to coastal resources. JB

By Michelle O'Donnell
Published: October 4, 2006

For years, the contaminated land at the end of Tiffany Street in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx jutted into the East River like nothing more than a mean and bony elbow.

On weekends, hardy neighborhood revelers planted the Puerto Rican flag there and danced and partied at the river's edge, transforming it into a happy outcropping known as La Playita, or the Little Beach. But mostly the lot lay barren amid a stretch of waste-treatment plants and factories.

So the unveiling yesterday of its transformation into Barretto Point Park, a lush five-acre waterfront spot complete with a sandy cove, a small boat ramp, sea grasses and a paved path along the river, was understandably met with glee and no shortage of wonder.

Read more:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/04/nyregion/04park.html

Google Map of Hunt's Point
http://www.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&z=12&ll=40.811341,-73.882198&spn=0.112774,0.180931&t=h&om=1

Wikipedia - Hunts Point
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunts_Point,_Bronx