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November 22, 2014- By Steven E. Greer, MD
Years ago, the BPC ice rink was located on the ballfields, was almost the size of a football field, and families from Tribeca and FiDi enjoyed it. When that contactor turned out to be dubious, the BPCA relocated the ice rink to the Wagner Park small field, way out of the way, and few people used it.
Now, the Canadian and off-shore real estate conglomerate doing business as a variety of names that sound like Brookfield has hijacked the rink as their own and set it up in a small corner of the esplanade.
The problem is that the never ending “renovation” of Brookfield Place makes it very hard to reach the ice rink for anyone but Gateway Plaza residents. As a result, it is not very popular.
Brookfield (fill in the blank as the second part because no one really knows what to call this company) is the biggest taxpayer in BPC and gets its way with virtually anything. They are poised to take over the marina as well. Meanwhile, the appoint, unelected, schmucks who run the BPCA allow this to happen.
I have to disagree. While it may not be the most convenient location, it is still very easily accessible from BPC North as well.
The staff is friendly and view beautiful.
My son and I survived last winter because of that rink. Otherwise, I don’t know how we would have gotten outdoors in the wretched cold.
I understand the anti-corporate sentiment, but please don’t let it sour you (or others) on one of the great amenities here in BPC.
To Tom
All that you like about this rink would still be there, and more, if it were located on the ballfields
I would defiantly disagree about accessibility argument. Brookfield is dead central. No matter where it goes, there will be difficult access for part of the community. Wagner was best for us as it was scenic, free, and most accessible for us.
I like the sound of using the ball fields, primarily because the rink could be huge, but the problem is that using that space virtually cuts it off from BPC south.
It would be worth the trek though. Thank goodness for the Connection.
The facts are the facts. The current location is only good for Brookfield because it is the only space they have. It isolates all of Downtown.