Back in 1894, Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn had the first bikeway in the nation, connecting Prospect Park and Coney Island. Now, plans are underway for another Ocean Parkway bike path, this time on the northern side of the parkway between Wantagh Parkway and Captree out on Jones Beach Island.
While the bike path on Jamaica Bay gets little use these days, no one can say the same about the Wantagh Parkway bike path. It is chock full of bikers, hikers and inline skaters tracing the exhilarating route from Cedar Creek Park to the bike racks near the Jones Beach Theatre.
So one would guess that the 14.4 mile Ocean Parkway path would get lots of use from those who already love the Wantagh Parkway path. In summer, when beach traffic is bumper to bumper, it would be a breeze. Even off-season, it should see some use. At present, bikes are not permitted on the parkway.
The 13-foot wide pathway would not provide direct access to Gilgo and the beachfront communities, and plans include adding bird nesting boxes, plantings and wetland protection. However, Audubon Society members still worry about the piping plovers and hawks on the south side, expecting bikers to leave the paths and cross the dunes through nesting areas. There are also concerns about spraying for mosquitos that would poison birds and other wildlife.
Is it too much to expect wildlife to co-exist first with all the construction noise and mess, and then with the humans that follow, not all of whom will respect the signs forbidding access to the nesting areas?
Will the numbers of bikers and hikers reduce the number of cars on the parkway?
Another concern is the $12.6 million to be spent on the path. Can we justify it with the $6 billion state budget deficit?
The bike path – it would be so wonderful, but would the price be too dear?
These are questions residents will need to ponder and bring their concerns to the state at the following address: The Ocean Parkway Shared-Use Path Project Team, NYS Department of Transportation, Region 10 Long Island, 250 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge 11788, Project ID Number 0006.11
The Ocean Parkway Shared Use Draft Design Report (DDR) is available for review at the Merrick, Wantagh and Seaford libraries and online at nysdot.gov.