Just in Time for Summer, City Opens Large New Sections of the New East River Park

The new East River Park is 8 to 10 feet higher than the original and conceals a floodwall that runs through the center. ESCR will protect more than 110,000 Lower East Side residents and businesses from coastal flooding.

New picnic and BBQ areas, basketball and tennis courts, large passive lawn are part of the $1.45 Billion East Side Coastal Resiliency Project that will protect 110,000 New Yorkers from future coastal storms and tidal flooding

Nation’s largest urban climate adaptation project to open more space in August in East River and Corlears Hook parks

The opening of large sections of the new East River Park, which is being rebuilt at an 8- to 10-foot-higher elevation as part of the flood protection provided by East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) was announced. The areas opened to the public on Memorial Day.

Project Details

Most of the southern end of East River Park was closed in late-2021 when DDC began work on ESCR, a $1.45 billion project which is creating a flexible 2.4-mile-long flood barrier on the Lower East Side from Montgomery Street up to Asser Levy Playground at East 25th Street.

An additional sections in the south end of the park, including six regulation tennis courts, two regulation basketball courts, picnic and BBQ areas, a nature exploration area, a passive lawn and a multiuse area, were opened to the public. Approximately 600 new trees have been planted in the areas that are opening along with more than 21,000 new shrubs, grasses and perennials.

ESCR is rebuilding five parks and adding recreation opportunities along the East River.

The city expects to open additional areas in both East River Park and nearby Corlears Hook Park in August, including a new Corlears Hook Park Bridge that will provide even greater access across the FDR Drive. Overall, ESCR is replacing four bridges that access East River Park over the FDR Drive to make the park more accessible.

The openings this week will be followed soon by new closures in the northern area of the park so that work on ESCR can continue. East Side Coastal Resiliency is projected to be completed and the full East River Park opened in early-2027. Under an agreement with the community, in order to maintain access to parts of the park during construction, DDC has pledged to keep at least 42 percent of the park open at all times.

ESCR is employing raised parkland, floodwalls, berms and 18 swinging or sliding flood gates to create a continuous line of protection against sea level rise and the growing threat of stronger, more severe coastal storms worsened by climate change. The project has been designed to improve waterfront access through reconstructed bridges and entry points and will also upgrade existing sewer systems to capture and manage precipitation during storms. The first floodgate, which is 42 feet long, 10 feet high and 32,000 pounds, was installed in February 2022.

Neighborhood Improvements

NYC Parks has made numerous improvements to nearby parks and open spaces to support the community with supplemental recreational spaces during ESCR construction, and has planted over 1,300 trees throughout the community. ESCR itself will include more than 1,800 new trees in East River Park, including 50 different species chosen for their diversity and resiliency.

In addition, NYC Parks and NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) have transformed Pier 42 near the southern tip of ESCR into a new waterfront open space. The pier amenities include a recreation deck with a soccer field, tennis courts, half basketball courts, adult fitness equipment and picnic tables, a new upland park with a playground, public restroom building, picnic area, lawns and designated bike path.

East River Park Improvements

The 45.88-acre East River Park is being elevated with new amenities, including upgrades to the amphitheater, ballfields, tennis courts, soccer and multi-use turf fields, track and field, basketball courts, playgrounds, comfort stations and picnic and barbeque areas. New passive-use areas will create enhanced spaces with grass and greenery, allowing expanded opportunities for relaxation and reflection along the East River waterfront.

In addition to the new Delancey Street Bridge, the Corlears Hook and East 10th Street bridges will also be replaced with gently sloping entryways that will provide access for all New Yorkers, including those with disabilities. The Houston Street entrance will also be rebuilt as an at-grade entry from the park to the street.