The Bronx River Greenway, a series of continuous parks and trails along the Bronx River, is a vehicle of transformation for the Bronx. Starlight Park in the South Bronx is a critical link of the Greenway, serving as a central meeting point and connection to miles of trail and parkland to the north and south. Phase 1 of Starlight Park will open early next year, but Phase 2 has been de-funded because the State pulled funding from the project in 2009 when it hit a legal roadblock with Amtrak. Without this link, over 100,000 residents in adjacent neighborhoods will remain cut off from the river, the new parks along its banks, and an invaluable bike and walking trail system. Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg, we urge you to bridge this gap in the Bronx River Greenway!

As you can see from the above 2009 video, NY State was enthusiastic about this greenway link and its benefits. Today, two steps are essential to reviving this project:

· The State must recommit to funding this project.

· NYC must take over as the lead agent on the project, because they already have an agreement in place with Amtrak that solves all the legal issues.