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Comprehensive Waterfront Plan
#WaterfrontWednesday
#WaterfrontWednesday allows New Yorkers to connect with their waterfront–from home. On Wednesdays, we will host virtual events and release new content, such as Waterfront Trivia, through our Instagram account @nycwaterfront.
#WaterfrontWednesday will enable the Department of City Planning (DCP) to continue and expand public outreach for the next Comprehensive Waterfront Plan during the COVID-19 pause.
We are actively seeking partners for these new sessions. If your organization is interested in collaborating, please email waterfrontplan@planning.nyc.gov. DCP will continue in-person engagement once it is safe to do so.
Upcoming #WaterfrontWednesday Events
June 17: Virtual Tour of Saw Mill Creek Wetland Mitigation Bank
Instagram Live Starts @nycwaterfront at 1 p.m.
What is a wetland mitigation bank? Join us, as we explore NYC’s first Wetland Mitigation Bank! NYCEDC and the NYC Parks will give us a virtual tour of Saw Mill Creek in Staten Island, share how it was created and more!
Previous #WaterfrontWednesday Events
The weekly #WaterfrontWednesday series kicked off on April 8, 2020. Events have included waterfront trivia, virtual tours of shoreline open spaces and “View from Your Window,” where students explored their surroundings using just their view outside.
#WaterfrontWednesday collaborators have included Brooklyn Boatworks, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, Billion Oyster Project, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and NYC Parks.
Watch all #WaterfrontWednesday events on IGTV.
Walking the Edge
Meet your waterfront and define New York City’s future by exploring its edge–even while you stay home.
Walking the Edge is a collaboration between DCP and the arts organizations Culture Push and Works on Water. Every Friday in May, a different artist will create prompts, questions or activities to help New Yorkers think about the waterfront’s future and the next Comprehensive Waterfront Plan. Visit Works on Water on Instagram to see each one.
Previous Public Engagement
Brooklyn Boatworks Youth Workshops | Jan. 2020 to Feb. 2020
We are excited to partner with Brooklyn Boatworks to incorporate youth voices into our planning process. DCP hosted workshops with students at P.S. 306 in East New York, M.S. 88 in Sunset Park and Growing Up Green LIC in Long Island City. Students shared their ideas about the future of the waterfront. View photos from one of the workshops.
Listening Sessions | Nov. 2019 - Jan. 2020
Over the fall and winter, DCP hosted five topic-based Listening Sessions in collaboration with the Waterfront Alliance. These sessions provided an opportunity for New Yorkers to learn about and engage in key waterfront issues, as well as promote equity and environmental justice throughout our waterfront communities.
At these events, DCP gave an introductory presentation on the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan. In each event below, you can find presentations for each topic as well as summary notes from roundtable discussions.
Water Quality and Natural Resources | Nov. 21, 2019
- View the Department of Environmental Protection’s presentation on water quality and natural resources
- Read notes from the Water Quality and Natural Resources listening session
- View Mike DuLong Riverkeeper’s Presentation
Ferries, Cruises and Transportation of Humans | Nov. 25, 2019
Working Waterfront and Transportation of Goods | Dec. 3, 2019
- View the Economic Development Corporation’s presentation about transportation of goods on our waterways
- Read notes from the listening session
Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation | Jan. 8, 2019
- View the presentation from the Mayor’s Office of Resiliency
- View the Waterfront Alliance’s presentation on resilience in the next Comprehensive Waterfront Plan
- Read notes from the listening session
Waterfront Development, Public Access and In-water Access | Jan. 29, 2020
Waterfront Visioning Sessions | Summer 2019
DCP attended events and hosted visioning sessions across New York City as part of the initial public outreach for the next Comprehensive Waterfront Plan.
520 Waterfront Tours | May 2019
Hundreds of people experienced a diverse array of activities across the city’s waterfront. This included everything from kayaking off the sandy beaches on the South Shore of Staten Island, to visiting a cutting-edge waterfront recycling facility in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
Learn more about the 520 Waterfront Tours.
Hunts Point Fish Parade | June 15, 2019
The Fish Parade is a mile-long procession through the streets of Hunts Point in the Bronx. It features a caravan of marchers and colorful floats highlighting environmental awareness and community advocacy. DCP joined the street fair and connected with residents and visitors about their idea waterfront as they enjoyed the parade.
Rocking the Boat Community Rowing | June 22, 2019
Rocking the Boat has a free program called Community Rowing, where Hunts Point residents of all ages can explore the Bronx River on student-built wooden row boats. DCP joined on a Saturday to meet residents and talk about the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan.
Randall’s Island Waterfront Festival | June 23, 2019
The first Randall’s Island Waterfront Festival celebrated the vibrant waterfront on the shores of Randall’s Island. DCP joined to share information about the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan and help attendees to imagine the future of the waterfront with fun activities.
Back to the Beach | July 13-14, 2019
Back to the Beach is a summer event on Staten Island featuring music, games for kids and fireworks. DCP joined this event with fun activities where people could express their ideas and visions for the future of the waterfront.
City of Water Day | June 13, 2019
City of Water Day is an event organized by the Waterfront Alliance to get people to, on, and in the water. DCP joined other organizations and vendors at Pier 16 to engage with the public and explore their ideas for the future of the waterfront.
Waterfront Planning Camp | August 17, 2019
This visioning event on Governor’s Island included everything from learning about water quality monitoring with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to trying on scuba diving suits with the Billion Oyster project.
We started a "Chain of Desires" with Works on Water, an attempt to collect 520 ideas from all New Yorkers about their vision for the future of NYC’s waterfront.
Red Hook Regatta | August 24, 2019
Red Hook Regatta is a community event organized by the arts nonprofit Pioneer Works, where people gather on Valentino Pier to watch homemade boats navigate through the waters of New York Harbor. DCP joined this event to talk about the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan and explore visions for the future of our waterfront.
PARK(ing) Day | Sept. 20, 2019
PARK(ing) Day is an international celebration of alternative street design, which started in 2005 in San Francisco. This year, DCP took over several parking spots to celebrate NYC’s waterfront and connect pedestrians to the water in advance of the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan.
Our Future Festival | Sept. 21, 2019
The New York City Metro Chapter of the Climate Reality Project and the Human Impacts Institute organized Our Future Festival, a day of events on Governors Island as part of Climate Week NYC 2019. DCP joined other organizations to highlight local actions and opportunities for New Yorkers to take action on climate change, as well as discuss the future of the waterfront.
SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival | Sept. 28, 2019
SUMBERGE Marine Science Festival celebrates NYC’s coastal waters with a day of interactive science at Hudson River Park’s Pier 84. DCP joined this festival to share fun activities with the public and learn more about their visions for the future of NYC’s waterfront.
PRATT Blue Week | Oct. 01, 2019
PRATT organizes a week-long event to celebrate water. DCP was invited to join several of their events where we interacted with students and faculty and had lively discussions around the various topics of the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan. Michael Marrella, Director of Waterfront and Open Space at DCP, joined Ocean Collectiv founder Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Ted Steinberg, author of Gotham Unbound, in a mini conference called Gotham on the Edge.