Bronx community fights plan to open waterfront

Residents of one Bronx community oppose the idea of the Parks Department opening up the Pelham Bay waterfront to the public. The Parks Department plan includes the installation of a giant entrance on

News 12 Staff

Jun 4, 2008, 4:47 PM

Updated 6,049 days ago

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Residents of one Bronx community oppose the idea of the Parks Department opening up the Pelham Bay waterfront to the public.
The Parks Department plan includes the installation of a giant entrance on the corner of Bay Shore and Watts avenues to allow visitors access the waterfront. But some residents say that it will only bring chaos to their quiet country club community.
?No matter what you put there, kids are going to be right over ? and they?ll have their beer parties, their pot parties- you name it,? says resident Nicholas Argiento.
Members of the community fear that visitors would add to the existing parking problem, since the current plan does not include additional parking facilities. Neighbors also worry that the increased foot traffic could bring more pollution into the area.
"It?s not going to benefit us at all," Argiento says. "Because you?re still bringing an influx of a lot of people down here in this area, and there [aren?t] any facilities for them."
Homeowners on Bay Shore Avenue say the idea to clean up the waterfront is a good one, but they would like to see the proper measures taken, such as providing additional parking and security.
The Parks Department says that while the original design for the waterfront included an entrance on Bay Shore Avenue, it is currently considering other locations at the request of the community. Park officials intend to present new designs for feedback.