The 2009 Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission, in the form of OurHudson.org, has drafted agendas regarding the future of the Hudson Valley and is asking the public to comment. Click here to see the agendas, shaped by six Task Forces.

Six priority themes emerged from a citizen Listening Tour organized by the Commission last fall. This inspired the creation of six Task Forces, including some of New York's most creative thinkers and leaders on issues affecting the Hudson River and Valley, to develop innovative, far-reaching and practicable ideas intended to shape the region's future.

The Task Forces addressed these themes in their draft agendas:

"The Hudson Valley is at a significant moment in its history, and it's all about keeping the dialogue going," says Joan Davidson, Chair of the Quadricentennial Commission. "The Listening Tour, this spring's Task Force work, and OurHudson.org have all been designed to get people engaged in setting regional priorities and helping to create a more cohesive identity for the Valley."

Each week, the report from one of these Task Forces will be posted online at OurHudson.org -- please offer your thoughts and comment on these important subjects. (back to top)

Back down in New York Harbor, the bucolic Governors Island opens to the public on June 5 and will be open every Friday through Sunday, via free ferry service, through October 10. Ferries will run from Manhattan to Governors Island every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and from Brooklyn to Governors Island every Saturday and Sunday. Visitors will be able to enjoy car-free biking, art exhibits, performances, artist-designed miniature golf, walking tours and sublime lazing about.

The public may comment on the recently released Governors Island Park and Public Space Master Plan, created by a planning and design team headed by West 8. The plan, which includes the rendering at left, may be viewed at www.govislandpark.com.
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"Personally, I think we are making a change," said Anthony McKenzie, a 10th grader at Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem. His teacher, Mauricio Gonzalez, leads his students regularly to Harlem River Park for lessons in marine biology and urban planning. Recently, the students collected samples from the river, tested the water and discussed why its quality is not optimal for fish and other marine wildlife. At right, 10th graders Keshuva Pierce and Paul Rivers lower a cannister into the river. Below, Keshuva and Paul are joined in their analysis by Cynthia Ortigoza and Kimberly Ferguson.

"The most notable conclusion is that during the summer the dissolved oxygen levels in the river fall below federal Environmental Protection Agency standards, putting at risk the organisms that live there," said Mr. Gonzalez.

The students also have contributed to discussions on improving and expanding public access along the Harlem River. About three weeks ago, Keshuva interviewed park users. "The first guy I interviewed was from Jamaica. He was aware that the Harlem River is polluted, but still continues to fish there," she reported. "The second person I interviewed was a man, 29, who had just gotten out of prison. He thinks the park should have stairs so that people could have better access to the park. The man would also like to see boats passing the park. I also saw a man that I had previously interviewed on my first time doing surveys in the park. The man was fishing [and] was kind of frustrated because he was not catching any fish. He offered me another suggestion of improvement for the park, which was to put in port-a-potties."

The students presented their findings on May 22 to an august group of research scientists, members of the Harlem River Park Task Force and representatives of the board of the Harlem Community Development Corporation (CDC). Their work was well received. "The research provided by Mauricio Gonzalez and his students have helped us understand the complexities of the environment," said Harlem River Park Task Force Director Thomas H. Lunke, who is also the Harlem CDC's Director of Planning. "It also shows us how designing a waterfront park with the community can lead us beyond the shoreline to solutions that will improve our overall health and well-being."

Harlem River Park is being built in phases. It may be accessed at 135th, 139th and 142nd Streets. Most recently, Phases 2 and 3 of the park opened -- showcasing an innovative and ecologically beneficial  shoreline treatment called Design the Edge which was the result of a collaboration with the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, the NYC Parks Dept. and a team of innovative planners. To see the Design the Edge report, click here.

"If we don't do the work then the change will never come -- so we will make a huge impact and the true meaning of the phrase 'Because It's Ours' will emerge," Anthony McKenzie said. "It is our park; let's continue making a change." (back to top)

Expanding every week, the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance is more than a coalition; it's a force. We are ferry captains, shipping executives, park directors, scientists, sailors, paddlers, swimmers, teachers, urban planners, architects and more. Together, we advocate for the best possible waterfront in the best possible city, a waterfront that is clean and accessible to all, with a robust maritime workforce and efficient, affordable waterborne transportation. Join us! Contact Louis Kleinman at lkleinman@waterfrontalliance.org.

Meet some Partners of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance:

A Park State of Mind
The Villager, June 2, 2010
 
Creating a Plan to Connect New Yorkers and Their Harbor
An Op-Ed by MWA President and CEO Roland Lewis
Gotham Gazette, May 28, 2010
 
Restoring New Jersey's polluted wetlands, waterways to be discussed
NorthJersey.com, May 28, 2010
 
Governor's panel starts search for Passaic River flood solutions
NorthJersey.com, May 28, 2010
 
Can the City -- and the Oyster -- Save Jamaica Bay?
Gotham Gazette, May 2010
 
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