The message I posted, signed off by Helen, might have looked like I was Helen. I just wanted to say that I merely posted the email she sent out, I am not Helen and am not responsible for all the work she did in getting the bridge to be opened 24/7. Thanks!

The signs are coming down! The hours of usage permitted on the northern section of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway in Jersey City will now be, as required by law, 24/7.

The official opening and dedication of the Walkway and the Long Slip Canal Bridge will occur on Monday, September 21, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to celebrate the closing of another gap in the 18.5 linear mile pathway at the river edge planned to extend continuously linked from the tip of Bayonne to the GW Bridge. A very important part of this event is the focus on the hours of access to the walkway; this is a reconfirmation of the rule of 24 hour access to the river edge. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection successfully negotiated with the developer of the Jersey City segment to make this happen. Another focus of this opening event should be the role of the general public in getting the gates opened and the hours enforced. The insistence of the general public for their right to access brought about, to a great extent, this appropriate resolution.

Congratulations to all participants for the continuing dialogue and the sincere efforts to bring this matter to a successful conclusion.

Helen Manogue
President
Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy

HUDSON RIVER WATERFRONT CONSERVANCY OF N.J. INC.


Hoboken/Jersey City Walkway link.


The Opening of the LOCKED Gates


The Governor?s Office issued the order to open the gates that locked out the public from the use of the recently completed bridge between Hoboken and Jersey City which is part of the Hudson River Walkway. The unlocking occurred on Sunday, September 6, 2009.



The Conservancy is pleased that it was able to help in achieving the opening of the Walkway link between Hoboken and Jersey City. This segment of the Walkway was opened to the public after years of discussion by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with the LeFrak organization. which initially declined to construct the Walkway on its property until the adjacent upland area went into development. Once the bridge was completed utilizing federal funds provided by NJ Transit, the Walkway was able to be constructed. Credit has to be given to the NJ DEP for pursuing this matter and thanks go to the LeFrak group for its ultimate willingness to work on this project. The Conservancy offers congratulations to both parties.



The Problem Now


The hours posted for access at the entrance to the bridge area are clearly in violation of the NJ Rules and Regulations governing Walkway usage (6 a.m. ro 9 p.m. summer; 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. sinter). The Walkway is to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In further conversation with the DEP, the Conservancy has suggested several ideas for settling this matter. We are hopeful that within the next 10 days that the issue of hours will be resolved and the public will have unlimited hours of usage.



We will keep you posted.

Blue men's 26inch bike locked up at the bike racks between Exchange Place PATH and the Hyatt a few weeks ago. Taken between 8am and 4pm. Bike and lock gone. The next day there was a snipped lock on the ground in the same spot - assumed it was cut and the bike that was locked up taken. No longer leave my new bike locked outside - take it in at home and bring it up to my office. Although I do briefly lock it outside Club H gym.