Residents, lawmaker call for immediate repairs to dangerous sections of Riegelmann Boardwalk
Residents say the iconic boardwalk has deteriorated over the years.
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Residents and a Brooklyn state senator are calling on the city to make immediate repairs to dangerous sections of the Riegelmann Boardwalk, saying people shouldn’t have to wait years for a planned reconstruction project to address safety concerns.
State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton stood with community leaders and residents Wednesday in Coney Island, urging the city to repair the boardwalk’s worst sections, increase inspections and address known hazards such as loose boards, missing screws and uneven planks.
“We don’t have the luxury of waiting until 2032. That’s why I’m pushing for the parks department and New York City EDC to take immediate incremental action to fix the worst sections, increase inspections and make sure known hazards are repaired,” Scarcella-Spanton said.
Residents say the iconic boardwalk has deteriorated over the years.
“I remember the boardwalk growing up as a child," said resident Michelle Valdez. "You didn’t have to fear falling on your face."
The senator’s office pointed to loose screws and damaged boards during the event, including one screw that staff said was removed by hand.
“My staff member was able to pull out this loose screw with her bare hands," Scarcella-Spanton said. "Imagine the danger it poses to a child running barefoot, a senior using a walker."
Resident Sophia Williams said she was injured after tripping on the boardwalk.
“I slid like I was going into home plate to make that run and my elbows both were messed up,” Williams said.
Resident Mike Iospa started a petition calling for repairs, arguing some of the boardwalk’s worst conditions remain outside the most heavily trafficked areas.
"For the tourists, they keep it kind of maintained," Iospa said.
The New York City Parks Department said carpentry crews repair the boardwalk five days a week from April through November to help keep it safe.
The department also said it is working with the New York City Economic Development Corporation on a $1 billion project to completely reconstruct the 2.4-mile boardwalk, but noted the multiyear project is still in its early stages.
Scarcella-Spanton said her office plans to continue documenting complaints and reported injuries until additional repairs are made.
“Our office already gets a tremendous amount of complaints and reported injuries, so we’re going to start documenting those and we’re going to not stop until we get an answer,” Scarcella-Spanton said.
