LEHMAN COLLEGE–Community activists, policymakers and environmental experts discussed equitable access to Bronx greenways and waterways during the annual Bronx Parks Speak Up event at Lehman College. At the February 22 event the panel addressed the longstanding issues that prevent Bronxites in low-income and minority communities from enjoying the natural beauty of their home.
The event held space for the environmental groups as part of the Bronx Coalition of Parks and Green Spaces. Vice chair Bob Bender, who represents Friends of the Hudson River Greenway, has been advocating for greenways along the Hudson River for more than 15 years. “A neighborhood called Riverdale, without actual river access, is just the least of the ironies we face,” says Bender. He and his associates stress the importance of waterway access to the Hudson River, from Spuyten Duyvil into Yonkers. In working towards a sustainable solution that benefits everyone involved, Friends of the Hudson River Greenway intends to work towards collaboration with the MTA to incorporate a greenway between the tracks and the river. Collaboration between the two have proven rather difficult.
The Hudson River is not alone with its problems, the Bronx and Harlem rivers have suffered from industrial pollution and urban runoff leading to serious degradation of the water quality. Organizations like the Bronx River Alliance conduct regular water quality testing, identify temperatures, pH, and microplastics. Identifying pollution sources helps develop strategies to restore the river’s ecological health. About 90% of the Harlem River’s shoreline is congested with highways, rail lines, and industrial land uses, leaving very little access to the waterway and greenways for the public.
