Urgent Need to Protect Golden Pond
The Gem of Crocheron is at Risk of Turning into a Mud Puddle
Dana Gumb, a Bayside resident for over 30 years, is Friends of Crocheron's Vice President and Chair of Conservation. He worked for 37 years as an environmental planner in a private consulting firm and for three NYC agencies. He led the NYC Department of Environmental Protection’s effort to create the Bluebelt system on Staten Island. The Bluebelt is a system of ponds, streams and other wetland areas used for flood control purposes. The system features man-made wetlands, specially designed for stormwater treatment. During that time with the Bluebelt program, Dana gained much experience as a land manager of natural areas.
Storm Damage in Crocheron Park from Ida's Floodwaters
Major repair work is required in Crocheron Park, resulting from the fury of Ida’s floodwaters. Two locations require major repair jobs which will have to be accomplished with a capital project, most likely.
Previously Cracked Paths Taken Out by Floodwaters
The first
location is the asphalt walkway, south of the Tennis House in the park, which was severely washed out by the storm. The picture below shows the damage there. This walkway will need to rebuilt and the lower portion raised because it chronically floods. Pipes will need to be provided under the new pavement to convey storm water.
Mudslide into Golden Pond
The second location is less visible to the public but much more difficult to resolve. What the park user does see is a mudslide on the south side of Golden Pond which has delivered sediment into the pond. The worst part is up-gradient from the pond into the woods. There you will find rubble, garbage, dirt and other debris that washed out from the backyard of a house fronting on Corbett Road. This is a major mess.
All this debris ended up in the park because the retaining wall on the rear lot line of a house on Corbett failed, sending the fill behind the wall into the park. This house is at a low point in Corbett Road, east of 217thStreet. There is a catch basin in front of the house which obviously could not accommodate the unbelievable rainfall, resulting in the water spilling over into the backyard.
The part of the retaining wall that failed was not constructed with any footing. The water washed out all the fill under the wall where the footing should have been. Consequently, the cinder block wall now precariously spans the gulley created by the storm flow from the street. This is a dangerous situation.
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Friends of Crocheron & John Golden Park
PO Box 610300
Bayside, NY 11361
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Friends of Crocheron & John Golden Park is fiscally sponsored by FJC, a 501c3 public charity. As such, all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
©2024 by Jessica Burke
All photographs are owned by NYC Parks and/or Daniel Avila, unless otherwise noted.