Appendix G Parks and Recreation Areas
G-1 June 2021

Appendix G: Parks and Recreation Areas 

G.1 INTRODUCTION 

The data provided in this appendix regarding open space ratios in the 1⁄2-mile Study Area for parks 

and recreation areas is for informational purposes, to represent how well the Study Area is served 

by open space relative to CEQR Technical Manual criteria and guidance. It is not used by FRA for 

the identification of potential impacts to parks and recreation areas.

As shown in Tables G-1 and G-2, with a residential population of 29,752 and a worker population 

of 76,203, the Study Area has a total open space ratio of 1.32 acres per 1,000 residents and a 

passive open space ratio of 0.52 acres per 1,000 workers. New York City’s planning goal is 2.5 

total acres of open space per 1,000 residents, with 2.0 acres of active open space and 0.5 acres 

of passive open space per 1,000 residents, and for non-residential (worker) populations, 0.15 

acres of passive open space per 1,000 non-residents is typically considered adequate. Therefore, 

the total residential open space ratio for the Study Area is slightly lower than New York City’s 

median of 1.5 acres per 1,000 residents and less than the planning goal of 2.5 total acres of open 

space per 1,000 residents, but the existing worker open space ratio is higher than the planning 

goal of 0.15 acres of passive open space per 1,000 non-residents. The CEQR Technical Manual

notes that achieving the planning goal open space ratios may not be attainable for some areas of 

the City and do not constitute an impact threshold; rather, the ratios are benchmarks that represent 

how well an area is served by its open space.

Table G-1

Study Area Population

Census Tract Residential Population Worker Population

93 5,894 2,120

97 4,965 742

99 5,759 25,130

103 1,990 14,252

111 4,838 18,704

115 2,064 13,930

117 4,242 1,325

Study Area Total 29,752 76,203

Note: Census tracts with at least 50 percent of their area within the Study Area are included in this 

analysis.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2014–2018 5-Year Estimates and OnTheMap Application and LEHD 

Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (Beginning of Quarter Employment, 2nd Quarter of 2002–

2017)
June 2021 G-2 

Table G-2

Adequacy of Open Space Resources: Existing Conditions

Population

Open Space Acreage

Open Space Ratios 

per 1,000 Persons

CEQR Technical Manual

Open Space Guidelines

Total Passive Active Total Passive Active Total Passive Active

Residents 29,752 39.31 24.78 15.02 1.32 0.83 0.51 2.50 0.50 2.00

Workers 76,203 39.31 24.78 15.02 N/A 0.33 N/A N/A 0.15 N/A

As detailed in Chapter 4, “Analysis Framework,” there are numerous development projects that 

are reasonably anticipated to occur in the Study Area by 2026, independent of the No Action 

Alternative or the Preferred Alternative. FRA has projected that these projects will add 

approximately 8,170 new residents and approximately 43,613 workers to the 1⁄2-mile Study Area. 

The development projects are also anticipated to introduce two new open spaces to the Study 

Area: a 1.68-acre extension to Bella Abzug Park, and two acres of open space at Manhattan West 

Plaza. It is also possible that improvements to the area of Hudson River Park between West 29th 

and 34th Streets, and to the High Line Tenth Avenue Spur, could be made by 2026. Table G-3

identifies the open space ratios projected for the Study Area in 2026.

Table G-3

Adequacy of Open Space Resources: 2026

Population

Open Space Acreage

Open Space Ratios 

per 1,000 Persons

CEQR Technical Manual

Open Space Guidelines

Total Passive Active Total Passive Active Total Passive Active

Residents 37,559 42.99 28.13 15.35 1.15 0.75 0.41 2.50 0.50 2.00

Workers 113,963 42.99 28.13 15.35 N/A 0.25 N/A N/A 0.15 N/A

With the No Action Alternative, the Project Site would remain unchanged. The Project Site would 

continue to be used as an active rail yard operated by LIRR, specifically as a commuter railroad 

storage yard and maintenance facility, and the Tunnel Encasement and Platform would not be 

constructed. The No Action Alternative would not result in any changes to open space ratios in 

the Study Area.

During the construction period, FRA has determined that the Preferred Alternative would generate 

approximately 100 to 200 workers per day, spread across two work shifts, who may choose to use 

the parks and recreational areas in close proximity to the Project Site. Upon completion of 

construction, the Tunnel Encasement and Platform would not generate any new residents or 

workers. Therefore, the utilization of parks, open spaces, and recreation areas in the Study Area 

in the future with the Preferred Alternative is anticipated to be similar to the No Action Alternative,

and the Preferred Alternative would not affect the Study Area’s open space ratios. 