IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL RELAX

This weekend, PortSide inaugurated the "PortSide Pandemic Pop-Up Park" next to the historic ship MARY A. WHALEN timed to the start of ferry service to Governors Island to Red Hook, Brooklyn “Come enjoy cool sea breezes, views of maritime activity and the Manhattan skyline, run through our sprinkler, and eat your take-out at bistro tables while keeping an eye on your kids zooming around this huge sea of asphalt on bikes and scooters”, said Carolina Salguero, Portside’s Founder and Executive Director.  “Our spot is festooned with ship artifacts and our growing FenceMuseum has quirky Red Hook charm and maritime authenticity, along with our historic ship MARY A. WHALEN bobbing just inches from the table setup.”

 

What is the Mary A. Whalen? According to the website, “She is an artifact of Ira S. Bushey & Sons, a Red Hook business that ran an innovative shipyard, a fuel terminal, and a fleet of vessels moving fuel (tugs, tankers and barges). The fact that ‘Bushey's’ combined what are usually three separate endeavors makes the firm particularly remarkable - and they excelled in all three.”  Originally, the Mary went ground in the Rockaways. She officially became the bases of operations for PortSide New York in 2006 opening to the public in 2007.”

The PortSide Pandemic Pop-Up Park" also includes balls, frisbees and chalk for kids; fragrant flowering plants; string lights during nighttime; umbrellas, children’s furniture and toys donated by IKEA.  In particular, IKEA had donated large blue standing umbrellas resting above each of the 9 tables. There are a total of 22 chairs.  

PortSide’s educational FenceMuseum provides content relating to their e-museum Red Hook WaterStories (https://redhookwaterstories.org), the definitive and newly updated guide to Red Hook past and present.

Salguero has been conducting a nightly live stream of magnificent sunsets that include a panoramic view of Portside. It will be passing its 100th day and can be viewed on www.facebook.com/portsidenewyork.  

On Sunday, July 19, the Kings Country Band showed up early evening to serenade the attendees. How did word get out?  Aside from facebook, Salguero walked around the immediate neighborhood and spoke with store owners. Perhaps Dolce Brooklyn, (my favorite gelato store) will be delivering to the tables.  

“PortSide connects New Yorkers to the benefits of our waterways and ports”, said Salguero. The pandemic, and conditions unique to Red Hook this summer, mean that it’s even more vital to get our neighbors and all New Yorkers to the waterfront, NYC’s largest open space. This nimble organization has history of creating pop ups, from a Sandy aid center to arts events, so when we saw people seeking outdoor space due to covid19, we added this popup space to our pandemic response work. As Governors Island rolled out their plans for ferries here, we stepped up to help them and connect them to the Red Hook community.”

Councilman Carlos Menchaca has been supportive of this area saying, "It is during crises that we see who truly cares about our communities and is willing to uplift and protect our most vulnerable neighbors. For years, PortSide New York has enriched Red Hook by providing a space for play, arts, and collaboration, while sharpening our pride in its rich history and unique waterfront. In partnering with Governors Island's reopening, PortSide has stepped up to make our City's largest open space even more accessible and affordable. I am never surprised, but always humbled, by PortSide's love for the community."

PortSide thanks corporate in-kind donors IKEA, Chelsea Garden Center, and especially Ports America for providing use of their parking lot. PortSide thanks Molly Malone, Dana Claire, Sue Sardzinski, and Timothy Miller for their gifts in-kind; and we thank the two 4-year olds who donated from their piggy banks. 

Red Hook is one of several stops on the NYC Ferry. Red Hook’s Atlantic  Basin Landing is located at Ferry Street and Clinton Wharf.  

On Sunday, July 26, the band returned continuing to entertain those who took advantage of the pop-up park.