One of the world’s most diverse and historic neighborhoods, Manhattan's Lower East Side is experiencing rapid gentrification, leaving many lower-income residents isolated within their own neighborhood. Many local residents cannot afford to take advantage of the neighborhood’s new shops and restaurants, and many of the area's public spaces are disappearing in favor of new high-end housing developments. For young people, this shift is particiularly devestating as there are fewer and fewer safe places for them to interact with other community members. Truly the once vibrant community spirit that has made the Lower East Side famous is slowly dying. 

Given this community's important cultural and artistic heritage, we need to preserve and utilize its remaining public spaces to engage all community members and bring local artists, musicians and community leaders to those who need them most. A unique riverside linear park stretching from Montgomery St. to East 12th St. along the FDR Drive, East River Park is the perfect place to bring local artists and musicians into the lives of vulnerable youth. As they empower and inspire local youth, creative and engaging activities promote local stewardship and ownership of public space. This in turn: 

·         promotes greater civic engagement in the community and wider city;

·         helps young people to realize the full range opportunities available to them with regard to livelihoods and self-expression;

·         fosters local pride and participatin in caring for the park and neighborhood; and

·         opens up new opportunities for community dialogue.

With your generous contributions to this project, we hope to build a stronger, more cohesive Lower East Side community around one of the city's greatest free public spaces.