By Meghan Mahar
Newtown Creek has been no stranger to controversy in recent years. Long known as a polluted waterway due to illegal dumping by local factories, it is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of a nice stroll by the water, but this is changing. In September the New York Department of Environmental Protection, along with The Newtown Creek Monitoring Board, hosted the grand opening of The Newtown Creek Nature Walk at Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Nature Walk is part of an upgrade of the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, which started in 1998. The Wastewater Plant is the largest of New York City’s treatment plants, serving approximately 1 million residents and currently treats 18% of the city’s wastewater, roughly 310 million gallons per day (mgd). The upgrade of the plant will allow it to treat over 700 mgd during wet weather flow. The Newtown Creek Monitoring Committee was founded in 1996 after a City Counsel resolution allowed the City to acquire property required for upgrade of the Treatment Plant. The NCMC is one of the longest standing citizen oversight committees in New York City. The acquisition of the waterfront property allowed the plant upgrade to meet the Percent for Arts requirement and the idea of the waterfront promenade was born.
The NCMC wanted to create a public space for Greenpoint residents to enjoy along the waterfront, and with help from the New York City DEP this vision became a reality. Christine Holowacz, the community liaison of NCMC was intricately involved in the planning process. “I wanted Greenpoint residents to have access to the creek, said Holowacz, “When a city agency collaborates with a community group, great things can happen.”
The Nature Walk is the first public access the community has had to Newtown Creek in decades, and residents of Greenpoint hope this is a starting point for the cleanup of Newtown Creek itself. The opening ceremony was officiated by Emily Lloyd, NYCDEP Commissioner, and brought local officials such as Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and State Senator Martin Dilan. The project has been no small undertaking, as the cost for the entire Nature Walk was over $3.2 million.
“It’s not everyday that you hear ‘nature walk’ and ‘wastewater treatment plant’ used in the same sentence, but this juxtaposition is a perfect example of the New York we are building in the 21st century, a place where essential services co-exist with dynamic public spaces to enhance the quality of life citywide,” explained DEP Commissioner Lloyd in the DEP’s press release.
The Nature Walk is indeed a unique attraction, on the sunny Saturday grand opening there were families kayaking along Newtown Creek behind a backdrop of factories and cars zipping past on the BQE. The park itself has high walls to block out the noise and sight of the treatment plant. “ The walls are put up to protect the public from the treatment plant itself and so that the public cannot get in as well, says Jim Pynn, Superintendent of the plant, “ There will be no security in the park but there will be security cameras installed around the perimeter for safety.”
The Nature Walk spans over a quarter-mile currently, but will be 1 1/4 miles when the 2nd and 3rd phases are completed by 2014. The two additional sections of the Nature Walk will extend over the Creek itself and up to what used to be Green Street. The artist chosen for the design of the Nature Walk was George Trakas, an environmental sculptor who incorporated Greenpoint’s rich history into the design. Virtually every part of the nature walk tells a story of its past; from the trash “barrels,” which represent the barrel-making shops that were common in Greenpoint over a century ago, to the “Vessel,” a 170-foot long pathway that has bowed walls made to replicate the way old boats were built along the shore of the East River in Greenpoint during the 19-th century. Every aspect of the Nature Walk tells a story of Greenpoint’s past.
Jim Pynn, superintendent of the plant, worked closely with the NCMC and the NYCDEP in the planning of the Nature Walk. “I have always had an affinity for water, said Pynn, “This has been a long time in the making, with over 9 years of planning, 4 of those years dedicated to the construction phase.” Pynn hopes that the community will utilize the Nature Walk, as it will be open everyday from sunrise to sunset. “The nature walk is the anchor for developing property like this elsewhere. Hopefully this will provide a positive role model.”
