Jack Espel, a middle-school history teacher, stated that "in New York City, the streets are your living room" during a recent meeting at a coffee shop on East Fifty-ninth Street. Espel is part of a group of Midtown East residents aiming to convert what they describe as "derelict parks" into vibrant public spaces. The group met to discuss their objective of transforming two neglected lots into pocket parks.
Sean Basinski, a semi-retired lawyer and leader of the group, recently became involved in a dispute regarding Guastavino’s, a seven-thousand-square-foot event venue located under the ramp to the Queensboro Bridge. Basinski alleged that Guastavino’s had been treating a small park in front of the venue as private property, restricting access to pedestrians. He recounted an incident where he was asked to leave while attempting to work out with kettlebells and another time when he was photographing shoes for sale on eBay.
After researching the property, Basinski discovered that the park is owned by the City of New York. He subsequently filed a class-action lawsuit against Guastavino’s, claiming "brazen and illegal seizure of public space" and asserting that the venue routinely evicts the public from the plaza by promoting exclusive access to its "private garden." Following the lawsuit, Guastavino’s removed the "Private Property" signs.
The availability of parks in Midtown is limited, with Basinski stating, "We’re park-starved." Justin Nuttall, a data manager who attended the meeting, shared his childhood experience of leaving the neighborhood and feeling unfamiliar with green spaces. Susan Blackwell, a retired copywriter, noted her husband's lack of exposure to nature growing up in the area.
Nuttall expressed a sense of irony about living in Midtown East, while Anna Arima, an event planner from Ukraine, shared her desire to enhance the community's greenery, inspired by her experiences in Kyiv. The group has attracted more members through signs Basinski posted near vacant lots, prompting discussions about potential improvements.
During their visit to the targeted lots, which were fenced off and locked, the group observed the neglected state of the area. Ideas for the lots included creating a dog run or an outdoor café, with Basinski emphasizing the need for green space for community use. He recalled a conversation with a Department of Transportation commissioner who acknowledged the city's underutilization of the space. The group has gathered nine hundred signatures in support of their initiative and plans to meet with the Community Board next month.
The group was inspired by a recent local success where students from Hunter College advocated for the conversion of curb space into a public gathering area. However, some skeptics within the community question the viability of converting the lots, citing noise from the nearby bridge. Basinski countered this by stating, "We’re all already here, next to the bridge. I’m breathing this air, hearing this noise. Let’s at least make it nice."