Legislation could give Jerome Park back to residents

Jerome Park has been open to residents for years, but lack of access to the area around Jerome Park Reservoir has been a thorn in the community’s side. Two lawmakers are seeking to open that land to the public starting January 1, 2019.

A bill with versions by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and state Sen. Co-Majority Leader Jeff Klein would switch control of Jerome Park Reservoir’s perimeter from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to the Department of Parks and Recreation. The officials were scheduled to announce the proposal at a press conference on Wednesday, after The Press went to print.

For years, residents have fumed at lack of access to the area around the reservoir, along with delays and cost overruns for the facility. The reservoir is part of a large number of projects tied to the Croton Filtration plant at Van Cortlandt Park. 

“I thought it would be appropriate for the Bronx to get the same benefits of the perimeter of the reservoir that Manhattan gets” with the reservoir at Central Park, said Mr. Dinowitz.

Access to the currently fenced-off ring around the Jerome Park Reservoir has been chief among activists’ demands during tri-monthly meetings with officials from the DEP and other city bodies.

“It seems to me the DEP wants to punish the community for its opposition to their plans for Van Cortlandt Park,” said Mr. Dinowitz, who added he proposed a bill similar to this week’s law in the 1990s.

The DEP and Parks Department did not immediately answer requests for comment.

Gary Axelbank, a vocal critic of the reservoir and filtration plant, welcomed the legislation.

“Anything that would give a chance for a unified vision on how the community can access the reservoir and how it should be preserved, I would be totally in favor of,” said Mr. Axelbank, a host on BronxNet.

Along with opening up the perimeter of the reservoir, he said granting the community access to a path running through the body of water itself would be a great amenity.

“We believe Jerome Park would not only be an amazing resource for our community, but also an attraction for visitors from across New York,” Mr. Klein said in a statement.