ALERT! Giant Tennis Bubbles Proposed for Central Park
Apr 16th, 2010
FRIENDS is keeping a close eye on a developing proposal put forth by the Department of Parks and Recreation to construct four inflatable bubbles in Central Park. The bubbles will cover the tennis courts north of the reservoir during five months of the year. We are concerned about air, noise, and light pollution, the “privatizing” of the courts through increased playing fees, and the visual destruction of the oasis that Frederick Law Olmsted designed the park to be. Unfortunately, CB 8 voted last year to approve an early concept of the project, but last night at a heated and well attended meeting, a joint CB 8 Landmarks and Parks Committee decided to take a closer look and lamented their earlier vote. Read more about the CB 8 meeting here.
THE DETAILS:
•The four proposed bubbles will cover 26 tennis courts from November to March and each bubble will stand 35 feet high, or the equivalent of a 3.5 story building
•The bubbles will be inflated and lit 24 hours a day with a generator powered by diesel fuel stored in four 2300 gallon tanks
•The current cost of tennis is $100 for the season. However, admission to play in the bubbles will cost from $30 to $100 per hour, dependent upon the day of the week and the hour
•The proposed leasing contract between the Parks Department and a private company is for 15 years. Central Park will not directly receive any of the revenue generated by the fee increase.
We are concerned that this proposal is circumventing the correct process for a complete public review, including a public hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission. We urge the Department of Parks and Recreation to fully present the project to the public and allow for public comment. This proposal will have a negative impact on Central Park, setting a dangerous precedent for the future. The park should be preserved for the 25 million visitors each year who seek out the park for quiet and recreation under open sky.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:
Spread the word and sign this online petition
WRITE to our city agencies responsible for keeping our parks beautiful and accessible to all:
Adrian Benepe, Commissioner
NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
The Arsenal, Central Park
830 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10065
Online Contact Form
Robert Tierney, Chair
NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
1 Centre Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Email Chair Tierney - comments@lpc.nyc.gov
