By Ezra Ashkenazi
The main entrance to Bridge Park in the Bronx has been gated off for months after a supposed makeover. The riverfront park was supposed to be an amazing nature-filled area after renovations were made. The renovations costed four million dollars of taxpayer money, however it seems like the improvements were never made. Inside the park nowadays the benches are so filled with overgrown vines that there is no place to sit. There is also graffiti that ruins a path in the park and the park’s water fountain. The park is also home to some sewage discharge, according to a warning sign riddled with bullet holes. The lack of maintenance in the park was obvious with tree needle that cover the walking and biking path. The park was supposed to be filled with people of all ages that want to enjoy this unique park. However, when the New York Post went to see this virtual wasteland all they could see was two people walking their dogs.
The Parks Department website shows pictures of how the park should’ve been after the renovations, it should’ve had nice benches and clean walkways, however, the improvements were made, and now the park is now a dumping ground. Four years ago officials showed off this newly improve space in a ribbon cutting ceremony. The park was supposed to be an amazing space that people would enjoy hanging out and relaxing in. NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver said at the time, “Thanks to this project, Bridge Park will now serve as the ‘gateway to the greenway’ and will provide this community with another way to get fit and stay healthy, or simply take in the beautiful views,” According to the New York Post, “Work included new seating, a bicycle rack, drinking fountains and new trees and shrubs between the park and the adjacent Metro-North Railroad tracks.”
If the plans for the park really worked out fully, it sounds like this place really would’ve been magnificent, and the people of Bronx should have been fortunate enough to see these plans come into life, and they should be able to have a spot like that to relax. According to the police department, the park was gated off so they could stop unauthorized vehicles from entering the run down Bronx area. However, a second entrance to the “park” was kept open. Although the renovations that were made were quickly ruined, the people of Bronx do deserve a nice new park, especially after all the taxpayer money that was wasted on this project.
