West Harlem Piers Park Project
In 1998, WE ACT partnered with NYC Community Board 9 to organize the Harlem-on-the-River Project. Our goal was to engage community leaders and residents in developing a community-driven plan that would both increase access to the Harlem waterfront and raise interest in one of Northern Manhattan’s neglected neighborhoods. Working with over 200 residents, elected officials, and representatives from the New York City Parks Department, a community vision plan (PDF) for the waterfront was developed and submitted to the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) by WE ACT in 1999. In late 2000, EDC scrapped its requests for proposals for commercial development at the site and developed a master plan based on the Harlem-on-the-River community plan. Approval for the final West Harlem Waterfront Park plan came in 2003 and applications for construction were quickly completed. A groundbreaking took place in October 2005, and construction on the park was completed in late 2008. On May 30, 2009 the park was officially opened as the West Harlem Piers Park. Pictures of the ribbon cutting ceremony are available below.