The Southwest lawn at Teddy Roosevelt Park, soon to be opened to the public for the first time in memory.

By Carol Tannenhauser

Two young women stood in the enough-already April chill, jiggling babies in snowsuits, about 30 degrees and a “range fence” between them and a picnic on a green lawn with their children. They were in Theodore Roosevelt Park, home to the Museum of Natural History. For as long as anyone can remember, it’s been a “look-don’t-touch” green space, with all its lawns fenced off.

That is about to change.

“Beginning Memorial Day Weekend and running through September 30th, as part of a pilot program, the Parks Department will open two lawns in Theodore Roosevelt Park: the Northwest Lawn, at 81st Street and Columbus Avenue, and the Southwest Lawn, at 77th and Columbus,” said William Castro, Parks Department Manhattan Borough Commissioner, at a recent meeting of the Parks & Environment Committee of Community Board 7.

“The lawns will have two entrances each and operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., five days a week. Two of the seven days a week, they will be closed and rested. (The lawns will “rest” on different days.) If it rains, they will be closed to allow them to dry out. They will also be aerated and re-seeded every month, for four days. And, they will be designated “passive areas,” Castro emphasized. “The idea is for people to go there, relax, lie on the grass, enjoy them, but they will not be for any kind of sports or pets.”

The two young mothers were thrilled at the prospect. “Perfect for babies,” one said. “You can lay out a blanket and you don’t have to look out for dog poop!”

The opening of the lawns aligns with the Parks Department’s city-wide Parks Without Borders initiative. A spokesperson told WSR that Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver was “inspired by Parks Without Borders when he considered the lawns around the museum, as the design concept addresses providing New Yorkers with access to all available park spaces.”

A map of the lawns. Click to enlarge.

The co-chairs of the Parks & Environment Committee differed in their opinions of the project.
“Outside of our great parks, we are starved for public space,” Ken Coughlin said. “Any more that we can create is welcome. I’ve always wondered why these sections of the park were closed. I’m very happy.”

“I have a different view,” said Klari Neuwelt. “I think it’s not by chance that this location was chosen. I think it’s troublesome that a fair amount of very scarce Parks Department resources were put into this pilot, money and personnel that could well be used on other parks that have far greater needs than this one.”

The budget for the project was not available at the meeting, but Castro said that “two to three additional seasonal Park Enforcement Officers will be hired. These will be people in Parks uniforms, with walkie talkies. They won’t be peace officers who can give out summons and make arrests, but we’ve used them in a variety of venues and they’ve worked out very well. They will provide a uniformed presence and be there every day the lawns are open to enforce the rules of the park, make people feel comfortable, give out information, and help open and close the lawns. They will patrol the entire park — interior and perimeter — so, the entire park will benefit.”

Funding for the project will come from the Parks Department and money allocated by the museum. As WSR reported last November, “The museum has committed to spending at least $100,000 a year for at least 10 years to manage and maintain the park.”

The Northwest lawn.

Peter Wright, president of Friends of Roosevelt Park, a nonprofit that has co-managed and co-funded the park since 2002, said “the organization has taken no position on whether the lawns should be opened or not. What we’re saying is, if you’re going to open any lawn, you need to upgrade your turf and tree management. Last year, eight branches fell in our park and hit three people. We recommend that the Parks Department allocate the funds for upgraded turf care, upgraded tree care, and litter control. If they’re going to do what it takes, then, give it a shot. It’s a pilot project, so let’s see. It could be a good thing.”

“Obviously, we’ll all be able to tell,” Castro said. “It will be right out there for everyone to see: the condition of the grass; how we’re maintaining it; a record of any issues. Primary are the lawns. Will they be able to sustain people being on them?”