Editor’s Note: Tech company Pensa recently installed solar-powered cell-phone-charging stations in Riverside Park and at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park (69th street off of 5th Avenue). Jillian Gray checked out the Riverside Park station, which is near Pier 1 cafe around 70th street inside the park, and sent in the dispatch below.
By Jillian Gray
The new AT&T Street Charge station in Riverside Park is a useful and convenient way to charge your phone or tablet if you find yourself with low battery and nowhere to power up. Park-goers, runners, cyclists, and those passing through can charge most smartphones or other devices at the same speed as a standard wall charger. The station is located next to Pier 1 café, just off the cycling and running paths. Grab a drink or snack at the café to enjoy while charging your phone or device.
A downside to the charging station is that you have to stand while charging your phone. Though café tables are mere feet away, users noted that they did not feel comfortable leaving their phones that far away with iPhone theft prevalent on the UWS and in the city. They were unsure how the café would respond to taking chairs away from tables to sit at the charging station, and I bet this will happen frequently.
The charging station features six ports – one each of micro USB, iPhone 4, iPhone 5, and three female USB ports for other devices. Just over a week after the station was installed, one port is already broken. There are three counter surfaces on which to rest your phone and other belongings. These surfaces appear to be made of untreated wood engraved with “#ATTStreetCharge”, and already show signs of wear. I’m curious to see how this choice of material stands up to the weather and inevitable graffiti.
Those using the chargers included a woman who regularly walks her babies along the river, and a couple killing time before heading to an appointment. The woman was enjoying a lemonade from the café and reading, while the couple was engrossed in conversation. Several cyclists paused to check out the new station. Everyone was excited about the idea and eager to see more stations across the city. I talked to four people, and no one mentioned/seemed interested that the station is solar powered – only interested in the convenience.
Also worth noting – I asked a café employee if customers were asking questions or commenting on the charging station, and she responded that she was unaware it had been installed.
Photos by Jillian Gray.
Hello,
Where can we buy these street chargers?
Thanks