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Officials Pushing to Open Part of Jerome Park Reservoir to Public

By Eddie Small | June 5, 2014 9:18am
 Borough President Ruben Diaz described the reservoir as "one of our borough’s crown jewels."
Borough President Ruben Diaz described the reservoir as "one of our borough’s crown jewels."
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Bronx Borough President's Office

BRONX — Elected officials are trying to make part of Jerome Park Reservoir more accessible to the public.

Assemblyman Jeffery Dinowitz, state Sen. Jeff Klein and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. met Wednesday to introduce new legislation that would convert the greenspace on the perimeter of the reservoir into city parkland.

The Department of Environmental Protection currently owns the land, which is enclosed inside a fence and not accessible to the public.

Dinowitz described Jerome Park Reservoir as one of the community’s “precious resources” in a statement.

“Having grown up across the street from the reservoir, I know firsthand the amazing resource we have and its great potential,” he said. The proposed legislation would allow most or all of Jerome Park to be designated as lands the public can use recreationally.

Diaz agreed.

“The Jerome Park Reservoir is an incredible resources that should be enjoyed by our residents,” he said in a statement.

“This community treasure has been left unused for far too long. Northwest Bronx families have a right to enjoy the area around the Jerome Park Reservoir and I am glad that this new legislation will help make this area available for public recreational use. ”