Come Join Storefront Science "On Bridges" at the High Bridge

Join Dr. Leonisa Ardizzone to explore the form and function of bridges, as well as their strength and stability as you design and build your own models.

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2015
Time: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Tower Plaza at Highbridge Park
                 (enter near 172rd St. and Amsterdam Ave.)
Cost: Free

For more information and to register email info@FortTryonParkTrust.com or call 212 795-1388

$61.8 Million for the High Bridge Redevelopment, and now $1.3 Billion for the Bayonne Bridge

If you thought that spending $61.8 Million for the redevelopment of the High Bridge was a lot of money, hold onto your hat.  The Bayonne Bridge that connects Staten Island to New Jersey over the Kill Van Kull will cost the Port of New York and New Jersey Authority $1.3 Billion to complete by 2017.  The project will raise the roadbed from 151 feet to 215 feet so that the larger container ships may get to the Port of Newark, New Jersey.  If you want to see the Wall Street Journal article on this colossal project click here.

Another Pedestrian Bridge onto Manhattan?

The Liberty Bridge. Photo: Jeff Jordan Architects

In an article in New York Magazine on October 7, Eric Levitz writes about plans for yet another pedestrian bridge onto Manhattan. He says,

"What if you could live in Jersey City and walk to work in New York City? Jersey City architect Jeff Jordan, crowdfunding enthusiast Kevin Shane, and many of their neighbors have teamed up to produce plans and renderings for the Liberty Bridge, a 5,000-foot-long walkway over the Hudson River. Think of it as their version of the High Bridge."

It's Not Balderdash -- There's a Dash for the Boulders at Highbridge Park

Photo  - Molly Hurford

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed on rocks and other small rock formations, usually measuring less than 20 feet high without the use of ropes or harnesses.  As it turns out, for all those into the sport of bouldering who reside in New York City, the options are somewhat limited. There are a number of indoor facilities such as Steep Rock Bouldering at 1507 Lexington Ave. 

Steep Rock Bouldering -- 1507 Lexington Ave. (corner of 97th St.)

But, then there are the outdoor facilities.  For this type of experience boulderers need not look any further than Highbridge Park, right here in upper Manhattan.  There are an abundance of rocks to choose from that are free to use and available throughout most of the year.  Enjoy the rocks!

Looking for Counters of Pedestrian & Bicycle Traffic on The High Bridge

Albumen Photograph of The High Bridge, date unknown, but after the water tower was built
(taken from the Bronx, south of the High Bridge)

Simply stated, the only way we are going to get the Parks and Recreation Department to improve the infrastructure at Highbridge Park is by demonstrating that the usage of the two parks and the bridge justifies it.   The Parks and Recreation Department is not collecting any meaningful information on usage for either of the two parks or on the High Bridge itself.   Pedestrian and bicycle traffic on the Bridge has to pass through the two parks.

We would like to establish the baseline usage of the Bridge by pedestrians and bicyclists. To accomplish this we will need volunteers to stand at either end of the Bridge and count the number of pedestrians and bicycles crossing (both ways) during 15 minute intervals.

If you are interested in helping us to gather this information we would appreciate it very much. Please email us with your name and times of availability.  We will then assign a time slot with more specific instructions as to how you may help us.  As a thank you we will credit you with having participated in the study by listing your name along with other participants when we announce the results of the study.  The more we know about the use of the High Bridge the more we can work to improve the infrastructure supporting it in both Highbridge Parks and the surrounding areas.

Thank you for your support.

Photograph of Washington Bridge from Aqueduct High Bridge, date unknown (but after 1895)
Description say that the Washington Bridge goes from 181st Street and 10th Avenue (on the left) to Aqueduct Avenue (Bronx, on the right)