Locals Push To Restore Harlem Park Waterfall: 'Let's Get It Back'

HARLEM, NY — A group of locals are leading a push to restore the out-of-order waterfall in Morningside Park.

A volunteer at the park started a petition earlier this month urging the New York City Parks Department to get the waterfall up and running again, Brad Taylor, the President of Friends of Morningside Park, which has helped steward the Harlem green space since 1981, told Patch.

The waterfall and pond are located within the park near the West 113th Street and Manhattan Avenue entrance.

"Five year olds who live in our neighborhood have never even seen our treasured waterfall, " reads the petition. "It was restored in 2017, but broke down a year later and hasn’t worked since then. Without it, our pond is murky and filled with algae."

"We call on the NYC Parks Department to do ALL the necessary work to restore the waterfall and ensure that repeated pump failures do not occur," he added.

• Check It Out: Fix The Morningside Park Pond And Waterfall

The Parks Department told Patch that it is investigating the cause of the waterfall failure and making a plan based on those finds.

The city department also mentioned that the construction was impacted by the pandemic and supply chain issues, and that the pond has had harmful algae bloom since 2016, which while the waterfall helps with the water's coloring, it doesn't remove the blooms.

The petition, which has a goal of 2,500 signatures, has been signed more than 1,970 times as of Monday afternoon.

The waterfall had restoration work done around 2018, but it quickly broke down again thereafter.

The lack of running water means the pond is more susceptible to the water filling with algae and subsequent murkiness.

People rushed to fill up the comment section of the petition, articulating their support of the needed waterfall renovation.

"We’ve lived in the neighborhood for YEARS and have never been able to see the lovely waterfall!" Amanda Liew wrote.

"The waterfall was wonderful, both aesthetically and ecologically, and I miss it!" Valerie Wald added. "I live a block and a half from Morningside Park, and visit it often. Birds, amphibians, and fish also rely on the pond - please restore its health!"