School. Although Hudson River Park s. Hudson River Park News Fall 2005 Back to

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1 Another exciting summer on the Hudson ended in August with Hudson River Park s signature Blues BBQ and Fireworks Festival. In the back to school spirit, this newsletter is devoted to Hudson River Park s educational programs. Since its inception, the Hudson River Park Trust, as part of its overall mission of building and maintaining a 550-acre park along the Hudson River, has been deeply committed to providing facilities and programs to educate the public about the Hudson River s rich history and its marine environment. Although Hudson River Park s exciting summer season has closed and schools are now back in full swing, the Park still has a myriad of educational opportunities to offer students and teachers, children and adults. The Trust s Education Department, headed by Kerry Dawson, Vice President of Environment and Education, together with the great outdoors and our many partners, serves the educational needs of over 185,000 students throughout the year. Offerings range from walking tours to classes and seminars concerning such subjects as marine biology, the natural environment and New York City history. Read on to learn more about the Park s educational programs and classes along with some very interesting facts about the history and ecology of Hudson River Park. Back to School

2 Hudson River Park an Urban Waterfront Retreat Rich in History The 550-acre Hudson River Park stretches for five miles along Manhattan s west side waterfront. With 400 acres of water and 150 upland acres, today s Hudson River Park offers visitors a beautiful and lush waterfront retreat, featuring meticulously landscaped lawns and many recreational piers, some of which stretch nearly a thousand feet out into the Hudson River. Long before construction began, Hudson River Park s shores were witness to many significant historical occurrences. Before and during the early colonization of America, a portion of what is now Hudson River Park served as a seasonal encampment for Native Americans and was known as Sapohanikan. These Native Americans used the settlement for hunting and fishing. It was from this tribe that Peter Minuit purchased Manhattan Island on May 6, 1626 for 60 guilders worth of jewelry. Along with farming, Native Americans likely took advantage of the many oyster reefs that lined the Hudson River s Manhattan shoreline. These reefs were very quickly discovered and utilized by the first European settlers. As Manhattan developed, oyster barges began to appear along the shoreline. These barges sold oysters in abundance to local markets and citizens alike. In fact, during the early- to mid- 19th century, oysters were so prevalent and cheap that they served as a staple for many immigrants diets. With the development of the industrial age, pollution, silt and over-farming caused the Hudson River oyster population s demise. Today, Hudson River Park s shores contain some oysters, but their population is a mere fraction of what it once was. Left: The first successful use of steam to power a passenger carrying vessel in America began in 1807 when the Clermont was launched from the area that was to become Hudson River Park s Pier 45. The Clermont was just a precursor to the larger passenger ships that would make their way from various ports around the world to the piers that are now part of Hudson River Park. Other storied ships have also traveled in and out of various Park piers. One shining example is Hudson River Park s Pier 54, once home to England s famous White Star Line, which boasted such ships as the Lusitania, Olympic, Britannic and sadly, Titanic, which never made it to her American port-of-call. Oyster barges and shells used to line the Hudson River bulkhead. During the industrial age, the lands and waters that would later become Hudson River Park were home to many exciting events. In 1807, the first passenger carrying steam vessel Robert Fulton s Clermont was launched from the area that is now Pier 45 in Greenwich Village. During its maiden voyage, the Clermont steadily overtook assorted sloops and schooners and revolutionized waterborne transportation for both commerce and recreation. Over the next few years, the Clermont made a number of trips up and down the Hudson River carrying many passengers, making it the first successful steam powered vessel in America and giving Fulton a monopoly on the route. These are only some of the fascinating historical facts that surround the properties of Hudson River Park, and are exactly why this is a fantastic place to learn about the history of New York City and its Hudson River waterfront. Our Education Department offers a multitude of programs and resources (including walking tours, field trips, lectures and access to our archives) where students, teachers and New Yorkers of all ages can learn about New York s rich, maritime history. For more information, visit our website or call Hundreds of horse-drawn cabs wait for passengers as the Lusitania docks at Pier 54. Hudson River waterfront in New York City, 1800s. Left: Various Native American tribes occupied the Hudson Valley and surrounding area.

3 Bow Notch W. 59th St. Bringing History to Life Planned and Existing Park Elements provide Visitors with a window to the Past Clinton Walking Tour Pier 84 Education Center Midtown West Walking Tour Clinton In addition to sponsoring many programs that help to educate everyday park goers and students about the history of the Hudson, interpretive elements within the park help bring history and ecology to life. Two existing elements that further this commitment are the Passage in Time sculpture located in Hudson River Park s Clinton Cove and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Float Transfer Bridge at Pier 66a in Chelsea. Great Kill Marsh, Beach & Reef Habitat 34th Street Education Center Pier 72 Pile Field Baltimore & Ohio Float Bridge H U D S O N R I V 72 W. 42nd St. W. 34th St. Passage in Time, whose unveiling was featured in our last newsletter, is an interpretive recreation of a stateroom from the era of the grand passenger ships berthed in the Hudson River during the early 20th century. The recreation is housed in an enormous wine bottle, 30 -long x high, resting on its side and outfitted with portholes and windows allowing visitors to view the interior. Typical Queen Mary outboard, twin-birth, third class cabin. Passage in Time, in Clinton Cove Park at West 57th Street gives an interpretive view of the turn-of-the-century passenger ship stateroom. Chelsea Piers Historic Photos Chelsea Walking Tour Historic Bulkhead Greenwich Village Garden Tour North River Marsh, Beach & Reef Habitat E R P A W. 23rd St. Chelsea Hudson River Park s Pier 66a, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Float Transfer Bridge, located at West 26th Street, is an important working artifact that offers a unique view into the former working waterfront that is now Hudson River Park. The Float Bridge is an historic structure that once rose and fell with the tide. It was used to load and unload rail cars from barges for delivery to the B&O Freight Terminal located just inland on West Street. It was one of numerous structures built to transport everything from food items to the cattle and sheep being sent to the stockyards situated just to the north. As recently as fifty years ago, cowboys were still unloading cattle and sheep destined for the meat market from our shoreline. The Float Bridge was last used in 1973, after which it fell into a state of disrepair and became partially submerged. Through a joint effort between Hudson River Park and the New York State Department of Transportation, it was lifted from the water in June 2001 and subsequently restored. Now repaired and back in place, the Float Bridge serves as a viewing platform, a small boat launch and as a historic educational element within Hudson River Park. Additional educational elements being considered for Hudson River Park include interpretive panels that explain the transition of the waterfront from its rural to industrial pasts; cast bronze newspaper stacks that highlight important social and cultural events while functioning as seating; and sculptures and engraved pavings that highlight Hudson River Park s estuarine sanctuary and its inhabitants, such as seagulls, crabs, oysters and other marine based mammals, fish and invertebrates. The Hudson River Park Trust is actively seeking funding for these and other elements to help bring history to life. A float bridge in the West 20s transported livestock to the stockyards just north of present-day Chelsea. The Titanic was to have docked at Pier 54. Restored Baltimore & Ohio Float Bridge at West 26th Street used to rise and fall with the tide. Proposed interpretive installation: bronze, readable seating will highlight significant historical events. Pier 51 History Themed Play Area Pier 49 Pile Field Greenwich Ecopier Bow Notch Pier 42 Pile Field Greenwich Village Walking Tour Pier 40 Lobby Clean Sanctuary Campaign Pier 40 Education Center Tribeca Ecopier Tribeca Walking Tour Hudson River Estuarium Nature Center New Amsterdam Walking Tour R K M A R I N E S A N C T U A R Y Hudson River Park Pile Field Marine Sanctuary Bike Path Municipal Commercial Not Part of Park Existing Proposed W. 14th St. West St. Greenwich Village W. Houston St. Tribeca Battery Park City N. Moore St.

4 PROTECTED & REBORN: A RIVER AND ITS SHORELINE CREATE A LIVING CLASSROOM Much as the waterfront s uses have changed over the years, so too has its ecology. Before the Industrial Revolution, the waters and shores of what is now Hudson River Park were teeming with both marine life and water fowl, including oysters, sturgeon, blue crabs and a variety of birds. Although all this industry brought jobs, people and goods to New York, making it the nation s most important city, it also brought pollution which in one form or another began to take a toll on many of these species, eventually causing their populations to diminish greatly or all but disappear. With the passage of the Hudson River Park Act in 1998 came the Park s designation as a protected estuarine sanctuary and the requirement that the Trust establish and enforce a sanctuary management plan. The plan was developed with the help of various public, government and cooperating organizations and agencies. It sets forth management policies for protection and access to the sanctuary for recreation, education and research. Combined with other protective measures and operations mobilized throughout the Hudson River Valley, the sanctuary is helping wildlife return to the Manhattan waterfront. Oysters, blue crabs and perhaps even seals are gradually on their way to becoming the norm here rather than the exception, aided in large part by the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act. In addition to supporting the progress that has already been made, the sanctuary management plan also provides for several areas of the Park to be reserved as special habitats for the Park s wildlife population. One such concept is the ecology pier. Planted with vegetation appropriate for the brackish marine estuary, the ecology piers will be severed from land so that they can function as refuges for waterfowl and/or important flora. Ecology piers are planned to be placed at Hudson River Park s Piers 32 and 46 and are still in need of funding. The Trust is actively seeking grants and donations for these features. Being a designated estuarine sanctuary will not only enhance the ecology of the Hudson River and its shoreline, but also gives the public unparalleled educational opportunities to explore the river from within New York City s urban setting. The Trust s Education Department regularly hosts field trips that explore the biology, water quality and wildlife inhabitants of both the river and upland park. One such program is Hudson River Park s Big City Fishing. This catch and release fishing program, not limited to students, begins with an overview of the Hudson s ecology, water quality and fish species. Participants are then able to fish using live-traps (for crabs) and fishing rods provided on site, and then to view what they have caught in temporary holding tanks. For more in depth information about how the program can serve your school or community group, contact the Trust s Education Department: Our other popular education programs include field trips that explore the water quality of the Hudson, and discovery tours focusing on the trees, plants, insects and birds that populate the Park. These tours cover a broad scope of subjects ranging from the plankton and algae that populate the river to the pine, oak and tupelo trees that line the shores. Students are invited to experience the Hudson River s estuary first hand by taking their own water samples and viewing them under microscopes, or by going out into the Park to identify and observe the various species of plants, birds and insects and how they interact. Field trips can be arranged year-round. Download a field trip application: H U D S O N R I V E R P A R K M A R I N E S A N C T U A R Y M A N H A T T A N

5 Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit No New York, NY Pier 40, 2nd Fl. West St. at W. Houston St. New York, NY Phone Fax General Info: PARK George E. Pataki, Governor Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor C. Virginia Fields, Manhattan Borough President Charles E. Dorkey, III, Chairman Daniel Doctoroff, Vice-Chairman Connie Fishman, President ABCs of Bikeway Safety As anyone who visits Hudson River Park can attest, the bikeway is extraordinarily popular. In this back to school edition of our newsletter, we thought we d take this opportunity to inform park goers about some of the most important aspects of this wonderful resource. While it feels like a seamless part of Hudson River Park, the bikeway was actually built and is owned by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Most of the ongoing construction on the bikeway is part of a bikeway improvement contract being undertaken by NYSDOT. Because the bikeway is so heavily used, it s vital for bikeway and park users to understand and respect the rules of the road. Bikers and fast-moving bladers must use the bikeway as opposed to other park paths. Remember that pedestrians always have the right of way. Pedestrians and joggers should use designated walkways, as opposed to the bikeway, wherever possible. All users should observe construction signs and light signals for their own protection. Headphones cause bikeway users to be unaware of their surroundings. Ultimately, the entire five-mile park will have a dedicated esplanade designed specifically for pedestrian use. Meanwhile, where the bikeway functions as a multi-use path: Walkers and joggers should stay to the right and travel single-file in the same direction as the bikers. Dog walkers should not walk their dogs on the bikeway. Pass carefully and at a safe distance; slow down in congested areas; and be alert.