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Abandoned LES Pier to Open Saturday with Waterfront Picnic Tables

By Serena Solomon | May 3, 2013 11:58am | Updated on May 4, 2013 9:25am
 The temporary park will open Saturday with a community day and activities.
The temporary park will open Saturday with a community day and activities.
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Amy Spitalnick

LOWER EAST SIDE — The long-neglected Pier 42 on the southern end of East River Park will open to the public Saturday with picnic tables in a temporary waterfront space.

The event will be celebrated with a community day with art and activities based around ecology.

Politicians and community groups are currently planning making the pier a permanent public park at the insection of South and Montgomery streets. The space currently houses an abandoned warehouse and a parking lot.

But until that permanent redesign is complete, the pier has been partially resurfaced and picnic tables have been installed for public use.

State Senator Daniel Squadron and the Parks Department are planning to present ideas for the permanent new park at a Community Board 3 committee meeting on May 9. Squadron and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer secured initial funding of $14 million for it in 2011.

Squadron will officially open the temporary space at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, with the community day following from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m.