Greenway momentum builds in the Big Apple

Momentum for completing the East Coast Greenway in New York City and improving the city’s active transportation network is stronger than ever following a series of successful events for the East Coast Greenway Alliance team in NYC - and the announcement of a historic $96 million federal grant to close a key gap in the city’s greenway network.

From Sept. 19-22, Alliance staff members Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano, Deputy Director Niles Barnes, New Jersey & New York Manager Sofia Barandiaran and Mid-Atlantic Manager Daniel Paschall were onsite in New York connecting with local partners, elected officials and leaders with the aim of strengthening support for the East Coast Greenway and active transportation infrastructure throughout NYC. 

"New York City’s active transportation network has come a long way since I lived here 15 years ago. It’s now much safer and easier to get around by foot or bike, but there’s still significant work ahead,” said Markatos-Soriano. “To truly be the greatest city in the world, New York must continue investing in active transportation infrastructure to rival cities like Paris and Amsterdam. Together, we can complete the East Coast Greenway and create a more connected, healthy and sustainable future for the city."

With more than 100 local active transportation advocates in attendance, the NYC Greenways Summit kicked off a highly impactful week for the Alliance in New York City. Markatos-Soriano shared the stage with an impressive lineup of local leaders, including NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Andrew Kimball, President & CEO of the NYC Economic Development Corporation.

As the summit wrapped up, news broke of a major milestone. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced a historic $96 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Tenth Avenue Greenway Project. This record-breaking investment represents a huge step forward for NYC and will create a vital link to the East Coast Greenway.

"The Tenth Avenue Greenway project will create new green space for pedestrians and cyclists, putting safety into high-gear and expanding access to affordable, safer and greener transportation options in a historically under-served community,” Schumer said. 

This record-setting federal investment builds upon the original greenway vision developed for NYC in the early 1990s by Karen Votava, former open space planning director for New York City, one of the founders of the East Coast Greenway and the Alliance’s first executive director.

The East Coast Greenway Alliance’s deep ties to NYC continued to shine later in the week, as the first Roger Herz Greenway and Active Mobility Award was presented Saturday, Sept. 22 at the HI NYC Ballroom, the site of the East Coast Greenway 1991 founding by Votava and others.

EdMundo Martinez, a veteran micromobility and active transportation advocate from The Bronx, New York, received the award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to promoting sustainable transportation and active mobility.

“It is a tremendous honor to be associated with Roger Herz and the East Coast Greenway Alliance. Similarly to Roger, it was the purchase of my first adult bike that led me to eventually demand more from city officials for the people of New York City,” Martinez said. “I am very humbled and proud to be playing a role in the work that he started. I truly believe that if we all do a little bit, no one has to do a lot and the world will be a place for everyone.”

On Sunday, Sept. 22, the East Coast Greenway Alliance joined the Bronx River Alliance as hosts of a walking tour of Starlight Park as part of ClimateWeek NYC. Twenty-five engaged participants joined the tour, which covered the connection between greenways, carbon mitigation, environmental justice, green infrastructure and access to nature in an urban environment. 

“By partnering with dedicated local organizations like the Bronx River Alliance, Brooklyn Greenway Initiative and all our partners in the NYC Greenways Coalition - along with passionate advocates like EdMundo - we can realize the vision of a fully completed East Coast Greenway in New York City in the near future,” said Markatos-Soriano. “While continued investment from federal, state and local levels is crucial, the momentum to expand NYC’s active transportation infrastructure has never been stronger.”