Despite living so close to the coastline, our community lacks equitable access to Jamaica Bay, a beautiful urban estuary that defines so much of our neighborhood's landscape. Beach 43rd St. Waterfront Park, located at 592 Beach 43rd St., Edgemere, NY 11691, represents a unique opportunity to transform our communal backyard into a hub of positive community activities, water recreation, education and resolution of water grief, and environmental stewardship. 

Edgemere Alliance and our "Friends of Beach 43rd St. Waterfront Park" group, has amplified advocacy efforts for the park because we believe in its immense potential to become a gateway into an aquatic gem.  This initiative is about much more than creating a park; it's about fostering inclusion, seeking significant investment, and ensuring equitable access to the waterfront for all residents. This petition seeks to shed light on the story of thousands of residents who envision a brighter, more inclusive future for Edgemere's waterfront.

For the past five years, Edgemere Alliance has activated this calming blue space through programming, education, arts and culture, and water enjoyment. Some of the events we've hosted include: Pollinator Festival, Fishing Clinic, Cleanups, Arts in the Park - Ebru Painting, Daffodil Bulb Planting, and our annual "Fun in the Sun, Kayaking on Jamaica Bay", which is in participation and celebration of City of Water Day and the Jamaica Bay Festival. 

Currently, our community does not have an adequate access point to immerse ourselves in the beauty of our Bay, nor do we have the facilities needed to safely and equitably explore water-based recreational activities. It is a quality of life issue that denies the local community, especially our youth, opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and reconnecting with nature. This is why we need to rally together to support the development of Beach 43rd St. Waterfront Park.

Our vision for the park includes reinforcing the bulkhead and perimeter, adding a kayak launch,  facilities, floating dock, and water entry access points, which will provide new avenues for recreation, education, and exercise in a safe environment. Moreover, by enhancing the area with thoughtful beautification projects and fortifying the existing blue spaces, we can also contribute to both the preservation of a diverse and vital ecosystem and the long-term resilience of our coastline against environmental challenges.

The transformation of Beach 43rd Street into a vibrant waterfront destination requires both community enthusiasm and decisive action from local leaders. We can accomplish this through collaboration with city officials and engaging stakeholders who share our commitment to equitable urban development.

By investing in Beach 43rd St. Waterfront Park, we will not only provide enjoyment and educational opportunities, but also create an inclusive space that will foster community spirit, pride, and ownership.

I urge you to join us in this endeavor! Let us transform our waterfront and make it accessible to everyone. Please sign this petition to show your support for the development of Beach 43rd St. Waterfront Park, and help us turn this dream into a reality!