STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The following are five key takeaways from an original Advance/SILive.com article reporting on dedicated funding for Staten Island’s Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk.
1. Dedicated annual funding secured for boardwalk
Borough President Vito Fossella and NYC Parks Borough Commissioner Joseph Homsey announced over $700,000 in dedicated annual funding for the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk on Tuesday. This marks the first time that the boardwalk, a prominent East Shore attraction, will receive its own specific allocation for upkeep and preservation. Previously, its maintenance depended on broader Parks Department funds distributed across all parks in the borough, making this new, consistent funding a significant development for its long-term care and accessibility for the community.
2. New dedicated maintenance team to address disrepair
A key component of the newly secured annual funding is the hiring of a specialized team of four carpenters and four maintenance workers. These individuals will be exclusively assigned to the boardwalk, focusing solely on its restoration and daily upkeep. The positions are currently posted on the NYC Parks careers website, ensuring that the necessary skilled labor will be dedicated to addressing the visible signs of wear and tear, including protruding boards and other disrepair that have contributed to injuries.
3. Boardwalk’s age and Hurricane Sandy damage necessitated urgent action
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk, a one-and-a-quarter-mile wooden structure originally constructed in the 1930s as part of the FDR Works Progress Administration, is approaching its 100th year. Its age, combined with significant damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy when it was fully underwater, highlights the critical need for continuous maintenance. While interim repairs were made post-Sandy, Homsey confirmed that the structure will ultimately require a full replacement, making the daily care provided by the new fund essential in the interim for its preservation.
4. Additional capital funding procured for utility vehicles
Beyond the recurring annual maintenance fund, an additional capital funding allocation has been secured. This capital investment has been utilized to purchase Gator Utility Vehicles, which are intended to significantly enhance both maintenance efficiency and safety response capabilities along the boardwalk. According to lifeguard Meghan Proscia, these vehicles will enable staff to access equipment more rapidly and facilitate quicker communication with emergency services, underscoring their importance in improving the overall management and safety of the popular waterfront destination.
5. Enhanced safety and community enjoyment are primary goals
The overarching objective behind the new funding and resources is to improve the safety and ensure the long-term enjoyment of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk for all visitors. Fossella emphasized its status as a “jewel” for Staten Island, intending to preserve it for future generations. Proscia’s account of injuries caused by the boardwalk’s previous state of disrepair underscores the immediate practical impact of these initiatives, aiming to create a safer environment for the many residents who walk, bike, and recreate there daily.