NYC Esplanade Crumbles As Plans To Fix It Remain Incomplete, Advocates Say

EAST HARLEM, NY — Along the East River, the waterfront walkway hugging Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side is wide, clean, and landscaped to perfection. However, a quick walk north to East Harlem, the same walkway is narrow, crumbling and unsafe.

This has been the case for years along the East River Esplanade, two neighborhood groups who have long advocated for the Esplanade's redevelopment, Friends of the East River Esplanade and CIVITAS, told Patch.

"The concrete is falling away at the barrier where the water is," Nicholas Alexander, a member of the board of directors at CIVITAS, told Patch. "In some places, the barrier between the walkway and the FDR is just non-existent. You could literally just walk out onto the FDR. And those are just the safety concerns."

Two city departments, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the New York City Economic Development Corporation, have released preliminary design plans for various portions of the walkway between East 90th Street and East 124th Street. Done with the design phase, the Parks department is now working to secure contracts with construction management firms.

However, the two groups advocating for change along the Esplanade are now calling for faster progress, more capital funding, and more comprehensive plans along the corridor between East 90th Street and East 124th Street.

One of the main problems CIVITAS and Friends of the East River Esplanade have identified is that the new designs leave out a seven-block portion of the Esplanade between East 107th Street and East 114th Street.

When Patch asked the Economic Development Corporation about the seven-block stretch, a spokesperson referred Patch to the Parks Department. The Parks Department did not say why the seven-block stretch was omitted, but responded to Patch's other inquiries.

In 2016, Gov. Andrew Cuomo pledged $1 million toward rehabilitating Pier 107, and the city dedicated $75 million in 2019 to repair various sections of the Esplanade. Then, in 2023, the city earmarked $300 million for the walkway.

Now, CIVITAS is advocating for more funding for the project to get the seven-block corridor some attention.

"There is a whole seven-block section that is being completely ignored," Charles Devigne, a member of the board of directors at CIVITAS and East Harlem resident, told Patch. "East Harlem tends to be forgotten very quickly, and this is such a great indication and example of that fact. It really is shameful."

But, even an area of the Esplanade that has plans and funding has languished, advocates said.

Further north, between 114th Street and 118th Street, there is a section that is completely blocked off to foot traffic with fences. Behind the fences, mangled pavement and weeds have taken over.

"It looks like a jungle," Alexander, who lives in East Harlem, said of the fenced-off area. "It's got these signs there that say work in progress, and that sign has been there for five or six years now, but there is no actual work in progress there."

Plans in progress for the Esplanade

NYC Parks and the EDC have released plans for four different portions of the Esplanade.

In the first portion, from East 90th Street to East 94th Street, the Parks department told Patch it would reconstruct and stabilize the seawall, and restore the pavement, benches and railings. As part of this plan, the department will also install a new irrigation system.

This project could be ready for construction by July 2025, according to its website.

In the next portion, from East 94th Street to East 107th Street, the Economic Development Corporation released plans to update the infrastructure and landscape the area, while adding amenities like a separated bike lane, a fitness area, play equipment, and more.

At East 107th Street, there is a condemned pier that the EDC has plans to revitalize and expand to include flexible seating and picnicking.

The EDC told Patch that the department anticipates finalizing the design for its projects this summer, which means construction could begin as early as winter of 2026.

From East 107th Street to East 114th Street, there are no plans from the city yet.

"We were thrilled with the almost final design that the contractor from EDC presented to us, but we're actually shocked that so much was left out — a seven-or-so-block area north of the pier, and no plan to add a bathroom," Jennifer Ratner, Upper East Sider and founder of Friends of the East River Esplanade, told Patch.

"There are a lot of clever components of the new design, but leaving out a bathroom is strange — that's an understatement. And also leaving out seven blocks is strange," Ratner said.

According to Ratner, there is a public restroom at Thomas Jefferson Park in East Harlem, but visitors would have to cross the FDR Drive, which can be quite a time-consuming detour, and would mean leaving the Esplanade altogether. Oftentimes, this leads to people relieving themselves along the Esplanade, Ratner said.

"EDC has told us they are looking for more funding for that seven-block stretch and the bathroom issue," Ratner said. "We're hoping that perhaps there can be private fundraising if they don't get municipal funds in the next year or so."

The third portion of the Esplanade with a planned makeover is from East 114th Street to East 115th Street, where the Parks department will reconstruct and stabilize the old walkway and add a new, stronger concrete deck. This section will also be restored with new landscaping, benches and railings, the Parks department told Patch.

Additionally, from East 115th Street to 117th Street, the Parks Department will repair and stabilize the concrete seawall and repair sinkholes. In addition, pavement, benches and railings will be restored, the Parks department said.

Along this stretch of the Esplanade, Parks will also install a new concrete barrier between the FDR Drive and the Esplanade, where there is currently just a shoddy metal railing. This project could be ready for construction by August, according to the project's website.

"Rebuilding the East River Esplanade is a top priority. We are undertaking a multi-phase rehabilitation project to transform this deteriorating waterfront into a resilient, revitalized public space," NYC Parks Borough Commissioner Tricia Shimamura said in a statement to Patch.

"By investing in these critical infrastructure repairs today, we’re ensuring that New Yorkers can safely enjoy the esplanade for years to come."

Then, the fourth portion of the Esplanade with planned changes is along East 117th Street to East 124th Street.

Here, the EDC is planning to revitalize the infrastructure of the area, add overlooks that bump out over the water, and add lawn space, according to its preliminary plans.

"It's an equity issue," Sharon Pope-Marshall, the executive director at CIVITAS, said. "I feel as if it can't be emphasized enough: We want the Esplanade to look as well as it does below 96th Street, and certainly on par with the recently-opened section in the 50s. Because this is the way it should be."

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.

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East Harlem Waterfront Repairs Languish As Esplanade Crumbles