Hurricane Alert for Park Users – alert from Riverside Park Fund
Hurricane Irene is expected to hit New York City late Saturday night with the potential to make parks and other wooded areas unsafe during and after the storm. Mayor Bloomberg has advised, “because of the high winds that will accompany the storm, we are urging all New Yorkers for their own safety to stay out of parks where the high winds will increase the danger of downed trees and limbs.”
Strong winds and rain-soaked soil will create a high risk of toppling trees and falling limbs during the storm, and high tides and storm surges may flood waterfront areas of Riverside Park. After the storm, weakened, hanging, and waterlogged trees and branches may continue to pose a risk until they are properly addressed. The public should stay out of the Park altogether beginning Saturday afternoon until further notice. Boat owners at the 79th Street Marina have been directed to secure their vessels and vacate the Marina; vessels tied to moorings must depart and dock elsewhere.
Parks Department forestry crews, maintenance personnel, and Riverside Park Fund staff will be on duty over night, during and after the storm to respond to damage as it occurs.
Stay tuned!
be safe little lady….