Recently members of Friends of Corlears Hook Park presented to the Traffic Committee of Community Board 3 about the need for better traffic controls surrounding the park (specifically at the corner of FDR Service Road and Cherry Street). 

In response to our testimony the below resolution was passed by the Traffic Committee and will now go before a vote of of the full Community Board on January 27. Please sign this petition to show your support and encourage CB3 to vote YES on this resolution. 

Title: Resolution Supporting Traffic Calming Measures at Corlears Hook Park Entrance

                 Whereas, there are no traffic control devices at the intersection of Cherry Street and the FDR Drive, and "Friends of Corlears Hook Park" and residents of CB 3 living on the northern side of Cherry Street expressed concern for pedestrian safety, and

                 Whereas, Cherry Street is bordered by residential uses to the north and Corlears Hook Park to the south.  This park features many amenities including playgrounds, a baseball field and a dog run which are utilized by people of all ages.  The entrance to the park is located midblock and there is an informal "desire path" from the residential buildings directly to the park's northern entrance, where there is already a curb cut indicating a crossing location, and

                 Whereas, vehicles belonging to East River Housing residents were observed to be parking at the corner, including one with an SVI parking permit for the disabled and an off-duty police officer.  This obscures sightlines and creates an impediment for the M14A, M21 and M22 buses that turn onto Cherry Street, and

                 Whereas, signs are posted indicating that the speed limit has been reduced to 15 mph, which is lower than the 20 mph speed limit of a Slow Zone.  However, While traffic volumes were observed to be low, vehicles were observed to be traveling at high speeds, and

                 Whereas, a "Turning Vehicles Must Yield" sign that was once posted has subsequently been knocked down but was not replaced, and

                 Therefore be it resolved, that CB 3 requests that NYCDOT tour the site and further investigate the feasibility of installing a midblock crosswalk at the northern entrance of Corlears Hook Park or other appropriate traffic calming measures along Cherry Street such as extending the curb to create a pinch point or speed hump so that the speed limit becomes self-enforcing.