The Belle Harbor Cove ~ A Community Launch into Jamaica Bay
"Teddy Stathis Memorial Launch"
"Teddy Stathis Memorial Launch"
The Belle Harbor Cove is designed with the "community" in mind. This design is promoting a "community" launch. Residents of Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, Belle Harbor and Neponsit would be able to ride a bike or walk to the launch and enjoy a day in Jamaica Bay. The goal is in-water recreation for our community.
If you look closely at the The Design (link above) you will notice that there are some important features that answers any community concerns.
Recreational Use of Jamaica Bay: The design is intended to invite the neighborhood to explore Jamaica Bay using small water craft such as kayaks, canoe, windsurf boards, kitesurfing or small sailboats ... ONLY.
Seasonal Use Only (6 months): The Belle Harbor Cove would be only open for 6 months of the year; recommendation - May 1st thru Oct 1st - Ramps would be stored during the winter; walk-way access opening would be "plugged" until the following season.
No Parking / Drop-off Only: The design recommends no parking for any vehicles. The only vehicles permitted in the area can only drop off their small water craft such as kayaks, canoes or small sailboats. The drop-off access road is only wide enough for one vehicle and has one access point on the east side of the launch. Exit for this road will be at B128th Street, at the traffic light already installed. NYC Dept of Transportation road requirements would prevail.
No Restrooms: Not practical for a community launch and again, this idea is not a public launch. The residents of the surrounding area should use their own homes. A structure would block the view and be an "eye sore" for neighboring homes so this amenity was not considered.
No Loitering: The design has no area for large groups to loiter. The drop-off access road will allow local police to enter the area within seconds and will deter loiterers from using the park area after 9:00pm. Proper lighting will also be important to prevent negative quality of life issues. Easy and fast access for security or NYPD would also deter loitering.
No Fishing Permitted: This area is designed as a No Fishing Area, due to a history of fishing problems at this location. Constant complaints such as garbage, noise, graffiti, destruction of city property, confrontation with neighbors, petty larceny, illegal parking and no fishing permits ~ can be eliminated.
Summer Parking Regulations: Weekday parking available all season. NOT to be changed. The thought of removing the summer parking regulations will undermine the concept of a "community" launch. This design encourages walking or bike riding to the launch with the users craft. The drop-off / pick-up area is for temporary use only. Current, summer parking regulations should remain in effect.
Can we have this venue like this without weekend parking? YES. The West 72nd St. Street Kayak Launch in NYC is a perfect example. A community launch with no parking, no bathrooms and welcomed by the local residents.
No Boat Ramp: The community has a boat ramp on B108th by the water treatment plant. If you have a motor boat then the Belle Harbor Cove access point is not for your water craft. Please use the designated area at B108 Street for all motor boats.
Walk Light: At the Corner of B126th and Beach Channel Drive, a walk light is designed to have a safe entry for launch users. This is not a traffic light ~ only a walk light. Traffic on Beach Channle Drive will be interrupted briefly for pedestrian traffic.
The New Bay Wall: The bay wall's most important feature is to stop flooding for the entire community. Adding "groins" to the water side will upgrade this important feature. Increasing the wall height to 6.5 feet will also help this necessary flood prevention system. Added groins will help protected homes and more than satisfy insurance requirements.
Groins = The Cove: The added groins are designed to reduce the force of water currents in the area and keep the recreational users safe upon entering and existing the launch area during their Jamaica Bay exploration.
911 Access: With increase water activity in Jamaica Bay, calls to 911 have increased over the last few years. FDNY and NYPD water rescue have no access point in Belle Harbor or Rockaway Park or Neponsit. This design will help the emergency effort with rescuing distressed boaters and provide a safe area for first responders to do their job more efficiently. In 2009, 5 rescues were conducted at this location with no "real" water access.
Landscaping: The design includes low maintenance, all weather, all year long scrubs and plants to be placed along the baywall. The design will enhance the beauty of Belle Harbor and finally give the area a long overdue and much needed renovation to the area. This added feature will hopefully eliminate the graffiti problem our fellow neighbors see on a daily basis.
Safety Barrier: The safety barrier between Beach Channel Drive and the Cove's Access Road is designed to protect the vehicles traveling westbound on both roads. Separating the two roads is needed for the safety of launch users and cars/trucks traveling on Beach Channel Drive. Option 2 (not pictured) is a Jersey barrier with plantings on top instead of a guard rail. This barrier system will also divert people to the B126th crosswalk.
Entry Point: The vehicle entrance, on this design, will be at Beach 125th Street (Westbound). When approaching the area, the road will split at the entrance and force cars entering the launch area along the Bay Wall. This design is to provide a safe entry into the launch area without disrupting westbound traffic on Beach Channel Drive.
The View: Right now, anything will improve the current view (on right). The design is not only practical for recreational water users but a benefit to bay front property owners as well. The appearance of the area will improve and enhance the priceless view of New York City.
Giving Back Wetlands: The John Haden Design adds groin structures to the bay but more importantly subtract 4,000 sq. feet of land ~ giving back wetlands that once belonged to Jamaica Bay.
"Eco" Docks: The docking system in the plans include ecology docks to foster growth of aquatic life. These docks help us better understand nature and is one small step to preserving the Jamaica Bay natural habitat.
Network of Launch Sites: In order for the residents to enjoy a safe adventure in Jamaica Bay, the Belle Harbor Cove would be apart of a series of launch sites currently being planned. Other suggested areas would be Gateway Boat & Bike, Pier 108th Street (MPG site), a Broad Channel Launch, Rockaway Point Cove, Beach 88th Park, Averne Marina and Edgemere Park.
No Restrooms: Not practical for a community launch and again, this idea is not a public launch. The residents of the surrounding area should use their own homes. A structure would block the view and be an "eye sore" for neighboring homes so this amenity was not considered.
No Loitering: The design has no area for large groups to loiter. The drop-off access road will allow local police to enter the area within seconds and will deter loiterers from using the park area after 9:00pm. Proper lighting will also be important to prevent negative quality of life issues. Easy and fast access for security or NYPD would also deter loitering.
No Fishing Permitted: This area is designed as a No Fishing Area, due to a history of fishing problems at this location. Constant complaints such as garbage, noise, graffiti, destruction of city property, confrontation with neighbors, petty larceny, illegal parking and no fishing permits ~ can be eliminated.
Summer Parking Regulations: Weekday parking available all season. NOT to be changed. The thought of removing the summer parking regulations will undermine the concept of a "community" launch. This design encourages walking or bike riding to the launch with the users craft. The drop-off / pick-up area is for temporary use only. Current, summer parking regulations should remain in effect.
Can we have this venue like this without weekend parking? YES. The West 72nd St. Street Kayak Launch in NYC is a perfect example. A community launch with no parking, no bathrooms and welcomed by the local residents.
No Boat Ramp: The community has a boat ramp on B108th by the water treatment plant. If you have a motor boat then the Belle Harbor Cove access point is not for your water craft. Please use the designated area at B108 Street for all motor boats.
Walk Light: At the Corner of B126th and Beach Channel Drive, a walk light is designed to have a safe entry for launch users. This is not a traffic light ~ only a walk light. Traffic on Beach Channle Drive will be interrupted briefly for pedestrian traffic.
The New Bay Wall: The bay wall's most important feature is to stop flooding for the entire community. Adding "groins" to the water side will upgrade this important feature. Increasing the wall height to 6.5 feet will also help this necessary flood prevention system. Added groins will help protected homes and more than satisfy insurance requirements.
Groins = The Cove: The added groins are designed to reduce the force of water currents in the area and keep the recreational users safe upon entering and existing the launch area during their Jamaica Bay exploration.
911 Access: With increase water activity in Jamaica Bay, calls to 911 have increased over the last few years. FDNY and NYPD water rescue have no access point in Belle Harbor or Rockaway Park or Neponsit. This design will help the emergency effort with rescuing distressed boaters and provide a safe area for first responders to do their job more efficiently. In 2009, 5 rescues were conducted at this location with no "real" water access.
Landscaping: The design includes low maintenance, all weather, all year long scrubs and plants to be placed along the baywall. The design will enhance the beauty of Belle Harbor and finally give the area a long overdue and much needed renovation to the area. This added feature will hopefully eliminate the graffiti problem our fellow neighbors see on a daily basis.
Safety Barrier: The safety barrier between Beach Channel Drive and the Cove's Access Road is designed to protect the vehicles traveling westbound on both roads. Separating the two roads is needed for the safety of launch users and cars/trucks traveling on Beach Channel Drive. Option 2 (not pictured) is a Jersey barrier with plantings on top instead of a guard rail. This barrier system will also divert people to the B126th crosswalk.
Entry Point: The vehicle entrance, on this design, will be at Beach 125th Street (Westbound). When approaching the area, the road will split at the entrance and force cars entering the launch area along the Bay Wall. This design is to provide a safe entry into the launch area without disrupting westbound traffic on Beach Channel Drive.
The View: Right now, anything will improve the current view (on right). The design is not only practical for recreational water users but a benefit to bay front property owners as well. The appearance of the area will improve and enhance the priceless view of New York City.
Giving Back Wetlands: The John Haden Design adds groin structures to the bay but more importantly subtract 4,000 sq. feet of land ~ giving back wetlands that once belonged to Jamaica Bay.
"Eco" Docks: The docking system in the plans include ecology docks to foster growth of aquatic life. These docks help us better understand nature and is one small step to preserving the Jamaica Bay natural habitat.
Network of Launch Sites: In order for the residents to enjoy a safe adventure in Jamaica Bay, the Belle Harbor Cove would be apart of a series of launch sites currently being planned. Other suggested areas would be Gateway Boat & Bike, Pier 108th Street (MPG site), a Broad Channel Launch, Rockaway Point Cove, Beach 88th Park, Averne Marina and Edgemere Park.
To summarize ...
Right now, the bay front in under-utilized and the only people using the area are fisherman looking to catch a few fish or spend the entire day loitering along the wall. The problem is ~ most of these fisherman & company leave garbage, draw graffiti, damage the actual wall by cutting away the guard rail, urinate against the wall, leave unwanted “catches” near the wall while illegally parking their cars in the surrounding streets during the summer regulation period. These nuisances have a direct impact on our community's quality of life.
To solve these problems we must make suggestions to the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance that will eliminate these problems. Make the area a No Fishing Zone, similar to Tribute Park on B116th and to guarantee "no fishing" ~ a higher wall to help discourage this unwanted activity in this particular area. In addition, a well manicure, low maintenance landscaping design will beautify the area and enhance our neighborhood and our view of NYC.
We would like to hear your opinion, its your community!
Please send your comments or thoughts to the Belle Harbor Cove Project:
BelleHarborCove@gmail.com
in the Rockaways
Mayor Bloomberg is encouraging expansion of the NYC Water Trail.
Enforcement is a priority.
Mr. Teddy Stathis was a strong supporter of sailing activity in Jamaica Bay. Teddy coordinated several community sailing regattas in the 60's & 70's at this location. Sadly, Teddy passed away a few years ago.
The area, built by Robert Moses, presently abandoned by NYC, needs to be restored to the sailing mecca it once was, hopefully in the near future.
Belle Harbor Cove
Ideal location for the Belle Harbor Cove!
Look, no access to land in Belle Harbor!
Low maintenance shrubs and bushes planted along the bay wall B125 to B130th.
