According to a sign on the Brighton Beach end, "The existing hardwood timbers and decking will be replaced with custom-made concrete planks so that the new boardwalk is more resilient and environmentally friendly, with a lower carbon footprint and lower maintenance costs."
They make it sound so virtuous, don't they?
As you can see, the work has already begun. Parts of the boardwalk have been split lengthwise, with the beach side of the split done in concrete.
And those custom concrete planks? They are not attractive. They're stamped with textures, a mix of pebbly and faux-wood grainy.
Of course, faux-wood grainy is not the same as actual wood. Which is what boardwalks are traditionally made of. Hence the name: boardwalk.
Thankfully, "The traditional wood planks will be a key component on the Boardwalk near the amusement area, from West 10th Street to Stillwell Avenue." But for how long can we trust they will stay?
Brooklyn Paper also reported that some of Brighton Beach's old boards have gone to a Red Hook design studio where they've been "turned into furniture pieces that sell for $2,400 to $7,200."
I've already seen an "original Coney Island bench" for sale out front of some gallery on 25th street in Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteConcrete?? Boo!!!
ReplyDeleteThe one thing you neglected to mention was the wonderful smell of the wood and creosote on a hot day--that will always spell summer to me.
ReplyDeletetraditional wood plank furniture for $2,400 -$7,200? at those prices, don't they mean ARTISANAL wood plank furniture? - BN
ReplyDeleteConcrete will be much hotter in the summer's heat. Give me wood any day. But we are talking of the infinite wisdom of NYC and its parks department....
ReplyDeleteThe same thing is happening with the boardwalk restoration in Rockaway.
ReplyDelete