This is absolutely ridiculous. Everyone agrees honoring essential workers should happen, so politicians can strike out the inevitable “straw person” argument in that respect. This monument makes no sense in the space proposed other than to “check a box” and “grease someone’s pocket”. Rockefeller Park is a beautiful, serene space with little shade. Children sit every morning (in the shade of the beautiful trees) listening to musicians play in the very spot this monument will be erected. Diminishing the Park will add to the continued neighborhood decline, which all residents see every day. Further, disrupting this park so politicians can cut a ribbon and “pat themselves on the back” for their accomplishments is shameful, and the fact that the Community has had no opportunity to voice their concerns, is not democratic. Shame on you BPCA, Council-people, Community Board 1 etc. If this all goes through pretty sure lots of people will vote you out of your positions - one way or another. If we have to go to Albany and disrupt your cushy relationships - pretty sure we will. Respectfully submitted — Jen D River Ter on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

The park and green space is important. And necessary. During COVID the lawn was a gathering space. The City needs green spaces. The City needs waterfront spaces. Put the monument somewhere else or make it a vertical column or statue on the cemented area so it does not destroy the park and trees we all use. Thank you. — Yao Zhang on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

I have been a resident of River Terrace since 2003 and of the larger FiDi district since 1999. Please please do not allow this abomination to be built. There is so little green space and waterfront space in NYC. This park is already overcrowded and enjoyed not just by areas residents like me, but by visitors, families, Stuyvesant High School and other area school students, by exercise and yoga groups, picnickers, toddlers listening to music. This is what the park is for. Please build the monument where it will not displace so many people from such a rare and treasured resource: park and trees and water!!!!!!!!!!!! Pass it on! Eric — Eric Beckman on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

We are absolutely in favor of honoring the essential workers who were instrumental in keeping New York City running during the pandemic, often at great risk to their own health and welfare. They are heroes and deserve to be honored and treated as heroes. A monument or memorial in their honor is a fantastic idea and one that I am sure the entire community supports. But it does not seem appropriate, or even respectful to these heroes, to eliminate a beautiful, frequently used and vital piece of open space in their names. Rockefeller Park is an oasis of open green space that provides a critical refuge to the residents of the entire city. It is particularly important to the children of Lower Manhattan as it provides space for kids to run and play or to simply sit in the grass and enjoy the outdoors. The space where I understand this large memorial would be placed is a particularly beautiful space where families enjoy the breeze coming off the river in the shade. It is often littered with families on picnic blankets, frolicking children, soccer balls, frisbees, footballs, and all manner of games and toys. Destroying this beautiful, beloved, vital and busy space would be a travesty. Surely there is a better location for a memorial. Let's continue the conversation about where best to honor these heroes. And let's not do irreparable damage to this beautiful park without consulting all those that might be impacted. — GF on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

I was away and missed today's (6/26) rally. If you haven't yet, can you post the time of the Monday protest? Will we assemble super-early to beat the chainsaws? — Komanoff on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

Compromise: monument to be designed by Salvatore Garau. Can be called “NYC Clapping.” — Cobaye on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

Oh, and the fire? If you haven't lived near an eternal flame, get ready for: smoke. — J Frank P on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

Foley square would be the place for this. But if they put it where they plan, I'll join the skateboarders who are *definitely* going to rip it to shreds. — J Frank P on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

I believe there is a protest scheduled Monday am to stop the cutting down of these beautiful trees. — A2 on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

Oops!! Sorry, will correct. — Tribeca Citizen on Fireboat McKean arrives at Pier 25 for a summer vacation

This is Battery Park City Authority property, not Hudson River Park. Though I will note that HRPT is a state/city authority built on property owned by both: from 34th Street south is the state. That's why there are two monuments there as well -- one to the AIDS memorial, which was built into the landscape quite nicely, and the LGBT Memorial, which was sited after the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. — Tribeca Citizen on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

Right-o — Tribeca Citizen on Where in Tribeca?

The McKean was actually welcomed by the FDNY 343 which is the new state of the art fireboat that replaced the McKean when it was taken out of service. — Tracy Conte on Fireboat McKean arrives at Pier 25 for a summer vacation

One red maple tree for each woman Cuomo is accused of sexually harassing. #nytouch — James on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

It’s in BPC because the state controls the BPCA and it’s the only available space in the city for the governor to flex and dump this tribute. Don’t get me wrong- essential workers deserve recognition- but not in the middle of this beautiful green space! This is absurd- I’ve signed the petition and encouraged all my friends and neighbors in BPC (where I have lived for 20 years). — Kathy on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

71 N.Moore Street next to Smith and Mills Bar/restaurant, regards, Sonia S. — SONIA STOCK on Where in Tribeca?

You can go see where it will be, they started getting ready for construction the same day Cuomo announced it. I can’t believe there was no public meeting about this, zero transparency. Taking down this beautiful old trees is a tragedy. — A2 on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

WHAT TO DO: The most effective way to demand that any monument is more thoughtfully located is to take direct action in local government forums. Please show up to the next Community Board Meeting prepared to make your voice heard. COMMUNITY BOARD 1-MANHATTAN https://www1.nyc.gov/site/manhattancb1/index.page DATE: Tuesday, July 27, 2021 TIME: 6:00 PM PLACE: TBD Agenda will be posted one week prior to meeting date. 1 Centre Street, Room 2202 - North New York, NY 10007 Tel: (212) 669-7970 Email: Man01@cb.nyc.gov — Lee Pham on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

I think that this is a terrible idea. This is an area used for children to run freely. There are many early learning activities that use most of the area especially in the warm weather. Adults of all ages gather in this area to celebrate birthdays and other milestones in their lives. Just the noise and dirt will make this highly used park an unpleasant place to go to have a peaceful place to relax. — A. Moore on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

Peaceful protest at the site at 2pm today (6/26). Trees are scheduled to be cut down on Monday. — Cara on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

Totally agree- why not near a hospital in Queens or Brooklyn or the Bronx that was hard hit by the pandemic, and where workers can see it and feel appreciated instead of here in an area that had some of the lower rates of infection, and as you pointed out, is beyond the reach of most of those 19 categories of essential workers... And I imagine Hudson River Park will continue to be a dumping ground for memorials that really belong in other, more appropriate communities. — Robert Ripps on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

Hard to tell exactly where it’s located, but removing beloved, highly utilized green space for concrete and flagpoles is absolutely absurd. Further, it makes no sense to have a monument in BPC, which wasn’t particularly at the forefront of the crisis. Terrible idea and abuse of power. Residents need to push back vocally. Destroying parks is not the way to honor essential workers and lost loved ones. — Person on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

Dismayed at the thought of more plantlife being removed for more paving, cement etc. Already miss the lovely flower bed where the Mother Cabrini statue now stands. Why not put these monuments where there already is paving? We all desperately need greenery and flowers, colors, scents, bees, open spaces. Please DO NOT DESTROY WHAT WE STILL HAVE! — Silvia Rennie on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

Pam, doesn’t the Hudson River Parkway group have any authority over the park? Thanks for the info and the petition. I signed. — A2 on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn

I signed. This is an unwelcome intrusion. We don’t need or want to reduce green space in battery park. — Ari hammer on State breaks ground on huge monument for Rockefeller Park lawn