Hundreds gathered at Tompkins Square Park for a Halloween march many say could be their last chance to save their park.
For several years now, a group of Lower East Side residents and activists have been at war with the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) over what is best for the East River Park and those who call the area home. On one side, the DDC and several elected officials say the East Side Resiliency Project would completely renovate East River Park while simultaneously fortifying the area from future coastal storms. Opponents of the project, however, say the project will destroy the park as they know it, resulting in the loss of hundreds of trees.
Known as the Save East River Park Action, this opposing group of activists vehemently disapprove of the plan to upend the tree and plant life, despite the DDC stating that much of the greenery has reached the end of its life cycle.