WGPA

From our colleagues at the Open Space Alliance:

The NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation and architects Rogers & Marvel will be publicly sharing plans for McCarren Park Pool at the Parks Committee meeting of the Community Board:

Monday, February 4th
6:30 PM
Our Lady of the Snow Society 410 Graham Ave. (btwn Withers & Jackson Sts.) Brooklyn

There will be a second presentation to the full Community Board and we encourage your feedback:

Wednesday, February 13th
6:30 PM
Swinging Sixties Seniors Center
211 Ainslie Avenue (btwn Graham & Manhattan) Brooklyn

The Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn (OSA) is grateful for Mayor Bloomberg’s $50 million allocation to fund long held community goals expressed by Community Board #1 for the renovation of the McCarren Park Pool. These goals include:

• renovating McCarren Park Pool for swimming,
• creating a year-round recreation center, and
• preserving and restoring the historic bathhouse building and entry arch.

The NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, with the assistance of Community Board 1, and OSA hosted two local design charrettes to obtain additional information about the community’s programming and design requests, and balanced against budget considerations. Several hundred people attended these sessions and their comments were incorporated into the creation of a survey prepared and conducted by Partnership for Parks.

[...]

The survey results show strong support for re-opening the pool for swimming and also, within certain demographics, for the concert and film programming that has been provided at the pool on an interim basis. The Parks Dept. and OSA value the cultural contribution provided by the film, dance and concert performances. We are also sensitive to the related noise complaints from neighboring residences, and we are seeking an accommodation for both perspectives. We are thoroughly examining all possible options, both temporary and permanent, to provide an appropriate location within the neighborhood for large-scale performances for 2009 and beyond.

In the meantime, pool construction will be bid out, and will start in late 2008. McCarren Park Pool will continue to be used as a performance venue during the summer of 2008. In addition to the concerts of the past years, OSA would like to encourage greater diversity of programming for the coming 2008 summer...

The complete survey results can be reviewed here: http://www.openspaceallianceNB.org

Look forward to swimming and splashing in the Pool with you in 2011!

(Monday's meeting conflicts with WGPA's monthly meeting, but happily there will be a second presentation on the 13th. This project will also require Landmarks approval, so there will be a public hearing at a later date.)