P5 Bronx, Meet Your Waterfront Plan httP://Bronx.Mit.edu sPring 2011 1 of 2site & sYsteMs Planning PracticuM Department of Urban StUDieS & planning maSSachUSettS inStitUte of technology

Pier 5 Water ParK is an attempt to be the place on the harlem river waterfront where nature and people meet. low-cost, natural ecological treat-ments can be used for environmental remediation and to create “eco-islands” under the bridges. While the cSX rail line directly cuts off access to the river itself, a spray park on pier 5, a pocket wetland, and a walkable water’s edge bring a new water experience to park visitors Spaces like pier 5 are also designed to be adaptable for medium-scale cultural events, something that is largely absent on the harlem river waterfront. for special events, the 149th St bridge, a lower car-traffic bridge in the area, may also be tem-porarily reclaimed for pedestrian use.

P5

an urBan Bird-Watching Wilderness

Perhaps the only one of its kind in all of NYC, a 5-acre pocket wetland near a dense urban setting and strong transport connections could be a powerful invest-ment in bringing back native habitat and wildlife to the Harlem River waterfront.

Native birds like the robin, red-tailed hawk, and downy woodpecker could call this new waterfront environment home along with a plethora of other native plants and animals. For locals unable to access the more distant, wild nature preserves, this could be a unique and powerful way to experience nature and its beauty.

taKing care oF the Water - storMWater ManageMent

As storms become more frequent, a big con-cern for quality of the Harlem River water is Combined Sewer Overflows, or CSOs.

Stormwater often flows through the same systems as untreated sewage, and in the event of a big storm can lead to direct spills into the Harlem River. A CSO spot is located under the 149th St bridge.

One strategy to limit these events, which are quite frequent along the Harlem River, is to divert some of the stormwater from flowing directly into the sewer system.

A pocket wetland proposed on the site cur-rently occupied by the Bronx Recycling Center is designed to divert stormwater from a signficant section of the Major Deegan into a wetland environment where it can not only be stored but also naturally filtered before it reaches the Harlem River.

robin, spotted near Mill Pond Park

red-tailed hawk, spotted in high Bridge Park

downy woodpecker, spotted in inwood hill

Pier 5Water ParKmaSter plan

Wetland ParK

WetlanD parK Section

outdoor ecological classrooM

Learning about the environment has become an increas-ingly important part of the curriculum for many schools in the Bronx and to groups like the Harlem River Rangers. Hands-on activities like bird-tracking, water-testing, and wild nature observation may be possible in specially-de-signed outdoor classrooms within the natural wetland.

eco-iSlanD

pop-Up fooD on the 149th St briDge

commUnity interSection repair

there are 6 bridges with metal sup-port structures that float in the mid-dle of the harlem river. the struc-ture under the 149th Street bridge can be transformed into an “eco-island,” where floating plant beds and oyster substrates filter the water biologically and fit within the existing metal grid structure.

Successfully trialed in portland, or and brooklyn, ny, a community intersection repair engages youth to remake a part of the community that is often overlooked: intersections.

along with becoming a community-build-ing and arts activity for locals, the pro-jects also aim to calm traffic along some of the busier thoroughfares in a neighbor-hood, which in this gateway intersection to the harlem river waterfront, would be most welcome.

With wide lanes and relatively-low car traffic, the 149th St bridge which connects with har-lem may be the perfect bridge for pedestrians to reclaim on a summer Sunday to bring the neighboring communities togeth-er around perhaps ... the world’s largest paella.

JESSICA FAINFRANNY RITCHIEALBERT CHING

P5 Bronx, Meet Your Waterfront Plan httP://Bronx.Mit.edu sPring 2011 2 of 2site & sYsteMs Planning PracticuM Department of Urban StUDieS & planning maSSachUSettS inStitUte of technology

flexible, open space is integrated into the de-sign scheme to accomodate a variety of outdoor events. revenue-generating or open to the pub-lic, the idea is to get people to the space...and get to know their waterfront.

outdoor eVentson pier 5

P5Pier 5 sPraY ParK

pier 5 Section

suPer Barrel rainWater Filterson pier 5When it rains, water that lands on the major Deegan expressway is goes directly into the harlem river. While not highly toxic, this water contains contaminants that add pol-lutants to the river. redirecting the water into giant rain barrels for later reuse would help address this issue. brightly colored barrels create iconic entrances to the park.

WalKaBle gaBion Water edge

Pier 5 FlexiBle PrograMMingBronx gateWaY sign and stage

imagine pier 5 as a celebration of water. river water quality improves with new, soft edges, highway runoff gets recycled through giant rain barrels, and a unique, intimate experience with nature is just south of the 149th Street bridge. We think this certainly deserves a monu-ment...and a splash. a seasonal spray feature will allow people to cool off and have fun.

a system using recycled rubble and gabions allows both people and animals to enjoy the river’s edge. the gabions slow down the water, allowing for new riparian growth. a boardwalk provides resting spots and unique views.

JESSICA FAINFRANNY RITCHIEALBERT CHING