Push Hurst bike path fix

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper

The restoration of the Shore Parkway Greenway is only half finished, Rep. Vito Fossella charged this week.

The hefty $20-million repair of a crumbling seawall from the 69th Street Pier to the Verrazano–Narrows Bridge was fast-tracked by the city, but now needs to be extended all the way to Bensonhurst, said Fossella (R–Bay Ridge).

The section of the path between the Verrazano and Bay Parkway is a chronic headache for bikers, who can’t enjoy the beautiful waterfront view because looking away from the path for even a second could lead to being swallowed by a hole.

Hence, Fossella’s July 13 letter to the city Parks Department that said the earlier repairs presented “a unique opportunity to continue the renaissance of the waterfront and enhance our green spaces by renovating the Bensonhurst leg of the promenade.”

The letter did not promise any federal funds to make the repairs happen, but Fossella vowed to “work with” the city to reach that end.

Bikers hope he does.

“It is ridiculous how broken up the path is,” said Chad Nardine. “I thought they were repairing the entire path. I had no idea they were planning on only repairing part of the path.”

In March 2005, pressure from Fossella forced federal and city agencies to get moving on the seawall repairs. Almost two years to the day after work began, the greenway was again open for business.

But only halfway.

And that’s like jabbing a stick into the spokes of Bensonhurst bikers.

“For too long, the Bensonhurst leg has been neglected, and we’ve received many complaints from residents,” said Community Board 11 Chairman Bill Guarinello.

“This stretch is heavily used by walkers, bicyclists and families throughout the year.”