We have a problem with flooding, soil erosion, and soil compaction in our West Harlem parks, and it also appears that Highbridge Park and Inwood Hill Park farther north may have similar conditions. This is now a regional problem that’s linked to a growing global problem.
You might wonder why I am writing about parks and trees. Public art offers quality of life that sparks creativity and innovation, so I must advocate for our open public spaces as well. Landscaping, parks, and trees go hand in hand with public art.
Many are not aware that from Central Park to the top of the island, our parklands are on a fault line. Our geological landscape (the rock outcroppings) includes the Manhattan Schist, but some are starting to call it the Harlem Schist. Why? Because we have to look at the challenges to our landscape more regionally.
Due to climate change and years of neglect or lack of care, our public parklands are suffering citywide. Erosion degrades land, which means fewer plants can take in climate warming carbon dioxide. And once soil erosion occurs, it’s more likely to happen again.
Soil erosion decreases soil fertility. It also sends soil-laden water downhill or downstream, which can create heavy layers of sediment. That is what we are experiencing uptown. This past weekend, water was streaming down stairwells in Morningside Park.
Soil compaction
Soil compaction means that the soil needs moisture.
Root growth is restricted due to bulk density. No-till soil has higher bulk density. Our Jackie Robinson Park has this severe problem.
Root penetration is limited by roots encountering resistance.
More resources are needed to protect not only our park trees and soils, but our street trees as well. The NYTimes just posted a story—”In the Fight Over NYC Sidewalks, Tree Beds Are the Smallest Frontier.” Losing our tree canopy will have devastating consequences to the wellbeing and quality of life for all citizens, but particularly our Black and brown communities.
What are some solutions?
We need to be more innovative when it comes to solving problems of soil quality and tree protection. Fighting for 1% of the city budget may not happen. Yes, we need to continue such advocacy,but what do we do in the meantime? Experiment more to better understand our landscape. Target small areas and monitor any improvements or deterioration. We must take a more hands-on approach.
More training is needed for park workers who have limited access to proper equipment to meet the demands of these problems. All staff, not just some staff, should be rotated to learn different job functions, such as tree pruning, horticulture, composting, and landscape design. This could deal with hiring freezes. Offer bonuses and other incentives to existing staff, like learning a second language to better communicate with our diverse communities.
Most workers of color are not given many chances to advance. Allow park administrations to offer true opportunities to all of their workers and the public would gain a more informed and robust workforce.
We must also engage the public more honestly. Tell them the truth: that the city cannot do this alone. Everyone is needed. We must move away from only doing maintenance and trash clean-ups that supplement operations, to more gardening of native plants and grasses. This will offer some soil control and real remediations that could save the city time, money, and worker power in the long run.
The public narrative for almost 20 years has been to get more money for the Parks Department. They do need more money, because the problems have grown deeper. We cannot point fingers anymore. The public cannot take a hands-off approach anymore. We need to share observations, look at patterns, and ask the public to stem certain behaviors like curbing dogs or picking up their own trash. We can do this.
Climate change is real. And we cannot ignore the impacts any longer.
Savona Bailey-Mcclain is a Harlem-based curator and arts administrator, and the executive director/chief curator of the West Harlem Art Fund, which has organized high-profile public arts exhibits throughout New York City for the past 25 years, including at Times Square, DUMBO, Soho, Governors Island, and Harlem.