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ALSO SEE SERIES-THE STATE OF OUR PARKS
BATTERY PARK: Southern tip of Manhattan. DESCRIPTION: A 23-acre park with a playground, central lawn, promenade, the Castle Clinton Monument and the U.S. Navy Monument. Occupied primarily by homeless people and tourists. Park began as Fort Amsterdam, a Dutch fortress, in 1633. In 1811 the adjacent Castle Clinton became a harbor defense, and 12 years later the City of New York assumed jurisdiction. In 1890 the site was designated as a park and six years later became the site of the New York Aquarium. The aquarium moved to Coney Island in 1940 and the park reopened in 1952. NEIGHBORHOOD AVERAGE INCOME: $23,945
NEW YORK NEWSDAY RATING: 2 PARKS DEPARTMENT RATINGS: Fall 1986, A; fall 1987, A; summer 1988, not yet rated.
COMMENTS: The park is cleaner than most and has much to offer: a view of the harbor, a jogging course, a ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Some complained about homeless people in the park. The playgrounds appeared safe, with fairly new equipment, but litter, dead leaves and discarded food were scattered throughout. Restrooms were dark and dank, with toilet paper on the floors. Not enough water fountains, but all were working. The park is patrolled by PEP, the Parks Enforcement Patrol, a group of unarmed peace officers with authority to arrest and issue summonses. Five PEP officers concentrate on illegal vending of beer and souvenirs. Twenty-four parks maintenance people are employed at the park, fulland part-time. "There's very very little vandalism," said Parks Department spokeswoman Ivy Morrison. FUTURE: The nonprofit Battery Park City Authority has funded preliminary designs for a new Battery Park. The plan recommends improved signage, improved facilities for ferry docking,...