NYC parks: A breath of fresh air

Sept. 12, 2009

Today I reported on a city park that was going to be turned into a 40-story high-rise residential building. If there's one thing I have learned since moving to NYC, it's that New Yorkers love their parks.

This is hard for me, being born and raised in the Midwest where space is not the commodity it is in the city, to grasp. I grew up having a big backyard and an outdoor space all my own. But in the city, there aren't any backyards. Parks are the only option for people who want to be outside, surrounding by nature.

This particular park was a small one, about 1 acre, but it was beloved. The surrounding residential buildings had adopted it as their own. And it was, in a way, their own backyard. At the rally, there were tons of kids running around, playing on the playground, playing chess on the chessboards. There was even a middle-aged couple playing tennis on the courts.

It made me sad to think that in just a few months, this safe haven from the city could be turned into yet another high-rise.

Below is my story. Enjoy!

By RACHEL MORGAN

MANHATTAN - Green space is shrinking on the Upper East Side.

Ruppert Park was packed Saturday with local residents and representatives from New York City Park Advocates for a rally protesting a proposed 40-story luxury residential building on the site of the park.

“It’s infuriating,” said Stephanie Abbinanti, a resident of Ruppert House. “I’ve lived here for 20 years and for the first time in my life, I considered moving out of this neighborhood.”

Ruppert Park, located between East 92^nd and East 93^rd streets between 2^nd and 3^rd avenues, is frequented by many Upper East Siders, including tenants of the nearby Ruppert House Apartments.

The Related Companies, a prominent real estate development company stationed in New York City, currently owns the park.

Related Companies bought the park in 1983, when New York City’s Housing and Preservation District sold the interim playground under the agreement that the park would remain a park for 25 years, said Geoffrey Croft, president of NYC Park Advocates.

Now, just one year after the agreement between the city and Related Companies expired, plans are already in place to begin the construction of a residential high-rise.

"The city never should have (sold) the land to begin with,” said Croft, who grew up in the Ruppert area and now lives in Ruppert House. “This area has the least amount of open park space of any community in New York City.”

For Croft, it’s personal. As a child, he witnessed first-hand the construction of the park and now may witness its demise.

Local children frequently use the park, especially those living in Ruppert House.

“I love to play in this park, I really do,” said Alex Kaplan, an articulate 10-year-old with buzzed red hair. “I think they’re going to build an apartment building. I think that would be really not nice because it takes away a place that people like to come, to rest. And I would be really sad because I wouldn’t have a spot to play with my friends.” Kaplan, who lives in a neighboring apartment building, was holding a homemade sign that read “Save the park!” in black Magic Marker at the rally.

The proposed building will be 80 percent luxury rentals and 20 percent affordable housing. Related Companies will gain a tax abatement with the inclusion of 20 percent affordable housing, said Oscar Fernandez, lead organizer of the Save Ruppert Playground campaign.

“They’re taking away our park and we’re going to give them a tax abatement?” he said, his voice laced with disbelief.

Noise pollution caused by another construction project in the area is also a concern, Fernandez said.

“This community has been under siege with the recent subway construction down the block,” he said. “Our biggest goal is to create awareness. We want Mayor (Michael) Bloomberg to listen and realize that this is an important issue.”

At just one acre, Ruppert Park is a small park, with tree-shaded benches adorning the main path. Tennis courts are off to the right; chessboards are on the left. A small, enclosed playground is nestled in the corner.

However small, Ruppert Park provides many local residents with a much-needed breath of fresh air.

“If you knew how many high rises were built from 86^th Street uptown – it’s a disgrace,” said Ann Kross, a resident of Ruppert House since 1979. “There’s no air anywhere. It’s just a sad fact that another piece of land is going to be taken away from the public.”