TESTIMONY
Merritt Birnbaum, President and CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy on Impacts of Non-Essential Helicopter Operations on Hudson River Parks
2:28:07
·
140 sec
Birnbaum emphatically voices support for legislation addressing negative impacts of non-essential helicopter operations on parks maintained by Riverside Park Conservancy along the Hudson River in Upper Manhattan.
- The incessant helicopter noise disrupts tranquility and peace in the parks.
- Helicopter traffic contributes carbon emissions, pollution, and environmental degradation.
- A tourist helicopter made an emergency landing on a park ballfield in 2007, posing safety risks.
- Parks generate far more revenue for NYC through concessions than helicopter tourism.
Merritt Birnbaum
2:28:07
Hi.
2:28:07
My name is Mary.
2:28:08
Furnbaum.
2:28:08
I'm the president and CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy.
2:28:13
I'm here to voice our emphatic support for all the legislation being considered today.
2:28:19
Riverside Park Conservancy works through an agreement with NYC Parks to help the city care for 450 Acres of Parkland is spread across 5 parks along six miles of waterfront in Upper Manhattan from West 59th Street to West 181st Street.
2:28:36
So in other words, we care for the precious public green space that is adjacent to the major highway.
2:28:43
For helicopters that was mentioned before, I e, the Hudson River.
2:28:49
For decades, non essential helicopter traffic has traversed River with impunity, providing tolerances has been mentioned dozens of times today with a 15 minute joyride.
2:29:00
While saddling our parks with extreme noise pollution, carbon emissions, and environmental degradation.
2:29:06
The incessant noise from helicopter traffic disrupts the tranquility of our parks shattering the peace and serenity that these natural spaces are meant to provide.
2:29:15
Families seeking respite from the hustle of city life are in dead met with the relentless roar of these menaces overhead.
2:29:23
And it's not just an annoyance.
2:29:25
It's an attack on our mental well-being and enjoyment of our public spaces.
2:29:30
And it isn't just noise, as was mentioned about accidents on a sunny Saturday morning in 2007.
2:29:37
When Riverside Parksball fields are normally filled with hundreds of children.
2:29:41
Helicopter had to make a tourist helicopter had to make an emergency landing.
2:29:45
On the ball field, right on the infield at 77th Street.
2:29:49
Thankfully, this happened in July, which was after the main baseball season.
2:29:54
Otherwise, it could have been much more catastrophic.
2:29:57
Beyond the noise and safety concerns, we cannot overstate the environmental impacts of the constant helicopter traffic, the carbon and pollutant emissions contribute to air and water pollution, further jeopardizing the health of our communities.
2:30:10
And so I just wanted to say, Knowing that I'm speaking to the economic development committee here, Parks, as you know, brings in tens of 1,000,000 of dollars of concessions to the city coffers.
2:30:20
Which really dwarfs the 2,700,000 or 2,000,000 that the city earns from these airports.
2:30:26
Thank you.