Bay Ridge

Controversy brews over collapsed ramp at Shore Road Park

Community Board Responds to Angry Letters from Parents

March 24, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The taped-off ramp that leads to St. Patrick’s Field at Shore Road and 97th Street remains unfixed a year after its collapse. Eagle photos by John Alexander
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The arrival of spring and warmer weather means that folks of all ages will soon be heading to city parks. But for some residents of Bay Ridge, getting to the park is not as easy as it may seem.

The ramp to St. Patrick’s Field at Shore Road and 97th Street leading down to Shore Road Park and the playing fields has been closed for one year since mid-spring 2016 due to foundation collapse. With the 97th Street entrance closed off, the other closest entry is located at 93rd and Shore Road, which is five blocks away.

As a result, people have widened the fence bars along the sidewalk in order to attempt to climb through, dangerously risking their safety in the process. Once they manage to get through the fence, they must climb down a steep hill, often falling as they descend.

Coaches carrying large bags of sports equipment, including bases, bats, gloves and other sports gear must walk for blocks in order to get down to the field. Since it has already taken a year with no progress made, parents of St. Patrick’s Sports’ baseball league have been encouraged to file a complaint with the Parks Department. They were forwarded a form to complete and return.

The letter strongly urges them to email Brooklyn Community Board 10 and explain that there is simply no other easy access to Shore Road Park, and how this seriously impacts individuals with special needs, parents with strollers and elderly individuals who cannot walk the long distance to enjoy the park.

The parents are insistent that the caved-in ramp must be fixed in time for baseball season to get underway on April 1.  They feel another year of inaction on the part of the Parks Department regarding this city-owned property is simply inexcusable.

“Community Board 10 was notified by New York City Parks Department that the collapse of the 97th Street ramp will require a total reconstruction as the walkway is completely undermined,” Community Board 10 District Manager Josephine Beckman told the Brooklyn Eagle.

“The good news is that funds have been allocated for its refurbishment and the process is underway.  Unfortunately, this will mean that the 97th Street ramp will not be repaired in time for this season and the community board is awaiting a Parks Department presentation of the new ADA-compliant ramp design sometime in April.  The 97th Street ramp must remain closed for public safety and while we understand the inconvenience, we ask all to please heed the barricades that have been placed for public safety.”

Needless to say, this response does not bode well for the April 1 opening day of baseball season, and while a new ramp entrance will be welcome, it will certainly disappoint those who have been anxiously looking forward to easily entering the park at 97th and Shore Road.

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