Celebrate New York City’s 520 Miles of Waterfront with City Planning This May

Photo by Sustainable South Brooklyn Marine Terminal

Annual Celebration Will Offer Unique Experiences along the City’s Industrial Waterfront

Free Events are Scheduled for All Five Boroughs between May 17 and May 20

A series of free events across all five boroughs for NYC 520, the annual celebration of New York City’s 520 miles of waterfront was announced. Organized by DCP in partnership with other agencies and non-profit organizations, NYC 520 offers New Yorkers unique opportunities to explore waterfront and shoreline-adjacent sites, including many that are not typically open to the public.

As New York City advances its first ever citywide industrial plan, this year’s celebration focuses on the industrial waterfront, highlighting essential infrastructure and active operations along the shoreline, and exploring how they can effectively coexist with other waterfront uses.

Now in its eighth year, NYC 520 typically takes place on or around May 20th, and each year explores a different theme related to the shoreline, highlighting how it shapes the lives of the city’s residents, workers, and visitors.

On Saturday, May 17:

• Flushing Creek Walking Tour, 10 am to 1 pm – Organized by DCP and the Guardians of Flushing Bay, this 2.5-mile walking tour of the Flushing Creek industrial waterfront in Queens provides an opportunity to learn about the history of the creek, its transformation into an industrial waterfront, and its active working waterfront uses today.
• Hunts Point Walking Tour, 11 am to 1 pm – DCP and NYCEDC will host an exploration of the Industrial Business Zone in Hunts Point, the Bronx. Home to the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, the tour will visit important waterfront facilities and parks, as well as the Fulton Fish Market.

On Sunday, May 18:

• Kayaking in Old Place Creek, 1 pm to 3 pm – DCP and Kayak Staten Island invite New Yorkers to join them on the water at Old Place Creek on the West Shore of Staten Island. During this kayak tour, you will see tidal and subtidal wetland habitat and industrial facilities along the waterfront as you row toward the northern end of Arthur Kill.

On Monday, May 19:

• Ravenswood Generating Station, 3 pm to 5 pm – DCP and Rise Light and Power will open the doors to Ravenswood Generating Station in Queens. New York City’s largest power plant, this site is transitioning to a green energy hub. Be one of the first members of the public to visit and learn about this important project. RSVPs are required for this hard-hat tour. Attendees must sign a liability waiver and submit photo ID in advance.

On Tuesday, May 20:

• West 59th Street Marine Transfer Station, 12 pm to 1 pm – Join DCP and DSNY for a tour of the West 59th Street Marine Transfer Station in Lincoln Square, Manhattan. This recycling transfer station receives over 300 tons of paper each day from collections throughout the borough. Learn about the municipal waste management system and see New York’s working waterfront in action. RSVP and waiver required.
• Brooklyn Materials Recovery Facility, 5 pm to 6:30 pm – DCP, Circular Services, and Waterfront Alliance will offer a tour of this important recycling facility in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, which processes 1,000 tons of material every day, while supporting resilience, ecology, and public access. RSVP required.

New York City’s waterfront offers great career opportunities for New Yorkers across wholesale, warehousing, maritime, construction, green energy, recycling, and more. These jobs are part of the 4.8 million total citywide, the highest number in the city’s history.

Department of City Planning

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.