Ribbon Cut on the New High Bridge Access Trail

Today a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the newly opened High Bridge Access Trail. The trail was finished this past spring and the stairs down to the bridge were opened in June. When the High Bridge (which is a pedestrian foot bridge) is opened, it will connect the Bronx to Manhattan.

Many people from neighborhood and community organizations turned out for the event, including members of the CLIMB team and the High Bridge Coalition. Joseph Sanchez, one of the founders of the High Bridge Coalition and part of the CLIMB team, was given a special thanks by council member Miguel Martinez for his work towards getting the bridge reopened.

After the ribbon cutting and speeches from a few politicians, the normally locked fence to the bridge was opened and people were allowed to cross from Manhattan over to the Bronx.

Mayor Bloomberg on the Bronx side of the bridge with Chauncy Young of the High Bridge Coalition, long-time Washington Heights resident Antonia Diaz, and Lourdes Hernandez-Cordero of CLIMB.*

Mayor Bloomberg with Joseph Sanchez, a parks catalyst, and Kate Gluzberg of Partnership for Parks, showing off his new CLIMB t-shirt. *

Dr. Bob Fullilove of the Community Research Group speaking with Mayor Mayor Bloomberg.*

*All photos taken by Howard Joseph of the Community Research Group.

Hike the Heights 4 - Happy Birthday High Bridge!

On June 7th, 2008, people from the Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood neighborhoods celebrated the 4th annual Hike the Heights. The event was organized by a large number of organizations within the CLIMB coalition.

Since this year marks the 160th anniversary of the construction of the High Bridge, the party had a 'Happy Birthday High Bridge!' theme.

The day began with art activites for kids (sponsored by Creative Arts Workshops for Kids and Kids' Art Network) at four locations (the RING Garden, Sherman Creek, St. Nicholas Park, and Jackie Robinson Park).

After the art activities, families gathered at the four locations and began the walk to the Highbridge water tower in Highbridge Park. The hike took place all along giraffe path, a hiking trail spanning the parks of northern Manhattan. Paper mache giraffes made by kids from Creative Arts Workshops programs were hidden all along the trail. Children were given a sticker for each giraffe they spotted and received a prize at the end for finding ten giraffes.

The hikes culminated in a large community celebration next to the Highbridge water tower. The celebration included food, music, dance performances, field games, a mini-film festival, and water tower tours.

Streetfilms recorded the event, with a focus on the giraffe path. The film can be found here: http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/hike-the-heights/

Expect a film to be released soon on the 'Happy Birthday High Bridge!' celebration.