5 takeaways from the community board parks committee

Bronx Community Board 8 is back in session after its summer break, and the parks and recreation committee held its first meeting Sept. 23.

The committee reviews capital projects in local parks, advocates on behalf of parks for budget requests, represents the community’s interests and acts as a liaison between residents and the city, according to the board’s site.

Here are five takeaways from the meeting residents should know about. 

City crews accidentally mowing planted areas

The main topic of discussion at the Sept. 23 meeting was how to improve communication between the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and local steward groups when it comes to grass and perennial care. Perennials are plants that die and grow back on their own for multiple seasons.

Bronx Community Board 8 Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Deb Travis, who also founded Jerome Park Friends and Neighbors, said the topic arose over the summer when a cutting crew from the city mowed over New York-native yew bushes in Fort Independence Park. Stewards of Brust Park co-founder Jacqueline Hosford said Brust Park has had similar issues over a number of years.

Joe Magneri, district manager with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, said he understands how much work goes into the planted areas. He said the department gets seasonal employees during the summer who have less experience and district-specific knowledge of what to mow and what to avoid.

Magneri proposed implementing an eight-inch corrugated galvanized steel fence — which is a wavy, metal sheet — around plant beds, with a parks department sign that reads “Do not mow,” and underneath, “Planted Area.” Magneri said he would want to include the fences and sign in employee training.

Ewen park stair construction ongoing

Reconstruction on the Ewen Park stairs — which connect Johnson Avenue to Riverdale Avenue through Ewen Park — has begun. The $4 million project launched in August. The new steps and their rebuilt entrance will include handrails, new lighting and plantings, and ways to control soil erosion.

Johnson Avenue between West 231st Street and West 232nd Street will be down to two travel lanes with no parking, in order to accommodate the construction equipment, Travis said. This is expected to last about a year.

Stewards urge Brust Park repairs

Lower Brust Park — located at Manhattan College Pkwy and Dash Place — is in need of maintenance, said Hosford, cofounder of the Stewards of Brust Park.

Travis said over the summer, a section of the park was blocked off due to unsafe conditions, as the bluestone paved surface around the benches near the entrance is uneven. She also said the park has been a capital budget priority for the committee for the last several years.

According to the stewards’ social media, a portion is still blocked off, and the group is trying to get Council member Eric Dinowitz to fast-track restoration efforts.

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation told The Press the department will be repairing the bluestone, and will start as soon as crews are available. 

New vice chair

Travis noted in her chair’s report that Miriam Filer is the new vice chair of the committee. According to Filer’s LinkedIn, she has been a community board member since last August, as well as a Van Cortlandt Park Alliance board member for a year. She currently works at Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy as a middle school learning specialist.

Upcoming opportunities

The next parks and recreation committee meeting will be held Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. in the community board’s office at 5676 Riverdale Avenue, Suite 100. Residents can also join via Zoom. The board can be reached by calling 718-884-3959 or emailing bx08@cb.nyc.gov.

All meetings are open to the public, and a part of each meeting is reserved for public comments.

Volunteers are also needed for a Van Cortlandt Village cleanup event on Oct. 3 from 1 to 3 p.m., Travis said.