City Outlines Plans to Open More of Teddy Roosevelt Park to the Public

This fenced-off lawn along the North edge of Teddy Roosevelt Park could be opened up to the public.

By Alex Israel

The city is looking to open up some of Theodore Roosevelt Park’s fenced off lawn areas, and has been studying the options for the past few months. The park stretches from 77th to 81st Street, surrounding the Museum of Natural History.

The city is considering opening up the North and South lawns in the park along 81st and 77th Streets. (In a separate project, the museum has also discussed ways to open more of Margaret Mead Lawn, located on the Columbus Avenue side of the park, to visitors as part of its expansion project that will take away about one-quarter acre of the park.)

At a Community Board 7 Parks & Environment Committee meeting this week, the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation presented its preliminary findings.

Following studies of the fencing and shade, as well as a lawn tree inventory, NYC Parks proposed a ‘Managed Access Lawn Pilot’ that would open between one and three of the four existing lawns for passive recreation.

The lawns up for consideration are West 77th & Central Park West (SE), West 77th & Columbus Ave (SW), and West 81st & Columbus Ave (NW). The lawn at West 81st & Central Park West (NE) is not being considered due to sloping, a small drainage issue, and the Museum’s active driveway.

An image from the parks department of the four lawn areas they surveyed. We’ll post a clearer image when the city posts the presentation.

This 3-month program would be managed by NYC Parks Maintenance & Operations staff, who would open and close the lawns taking weather, activity, and lawn condition into consideration. Following the conclusion of the program, NYC Parks would re-evaluate their data to determine whether or not to move forward with a more permanent approach to opening up the lawns.

The Parks Department did not interview park visitors or local residents as part of their preliminary findings, which was a concern for many who attended the meeting. Committee Co-Chair Klari Neuwelt described this approach to outreach as “upside down and backwards,” a sentiment that was echoed by fellow Committee members and community members alike.

Another community concern was the additional budget required to maintain the anticipated increase in recreational activity. “Where will the money come from?” asked Peter Wright, president of Friends of Roosevelt Park. While he commended the Parks Department on a “good start,” he and others cited lawn maintenance, tree care, rodent control, Park Enforcement Patrol officers, and Bull Moose Dog Run visitors as key elements requiring additional resources that still need to be addressed.

Operational concerns aside, some expressed excitement for the opportunity to access spaces that have been previously off limits. “Public parks are not places that have gates all around them … We are about accessing green space. We are about recognizing the value of recreation and health,” said Steve Anderson, president of the West 81st St Block Association. “We need to figure out a way to have more [accessible] park space, not less.”

Timing and details are still being determined. Following the discussion and debate, NYC Parks Chief of Policy and Long-Range Planning, Sarah Neilson, agreed to share the community’s feedback with her team and return to update the Committee with a more defined plan before launching the pilot program.