EsplanadeFriends is urgently calling for action regarding the ongoing closure of the East River Esplanade in the East 70s due to the HSS Kellen Tower project. While we support the improvements, the lack of a temporary path is depriving runners, pedestrians, and cyclists of essential green space, disrupting daily life and well-being.

We demand immediate attention to several critical issues:

1. **Non-Functioning Lights**: Thanks to the support of our EsplanadeFriends and advocacy efforts, the lights along 62nd Street North are now operational. While we are pleased to see this issue resolved in the mid-east section of the Esplanade, the lights in East Harlem have remained non-functional for months. With daylight hours growing shorter, this presents an increasing safety risk for our community. We are still awaiting the promised lighting upgrades and security cameras. These ongoing delays are unacceptable and continue to put both residents and visitors at risk.

2. **Opening Andrew Haswell Green Park Lawn**: The lawn at Andrew Haswell Green Park remains closed, limiting vital outdoor space for children and residents to gather. We urge its immediate opening to provide much-needed recreational space.

3. **Reopening the Esplanade**: We demand the expedited reopening of the Esplanade, with a north-south connection restored by Spring 2025 at the latest. Our community deserves uninterrupted access to this vital public space.

We are urgently calling on all responsible parties—Hospital for Special Surgery, Manhattan Borough Commissioner Shimamura, Commissioners Sue Donoghue and Mayor Eric Adams, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, and Council Members Julie Menin and Keith Powers—to act swiftly and restore safety and access to our community. Immediate action is critical!

This ongoing closure and neglect of critical infrastructure is unacceptable.

**Sincerely,  EsplanadeFriends**