New York’s Staten Island. City workers were seen removing a contentious security fence that had been erected on the Martling Avenue Bridge close to Clove Road just over two months earlier.
Residents and the authorities were incensed about the fencing that obstructed the tranquil vista of Clove Lakes Park and its fauna.
Residents of Staten Island are celebrating the successful effort to remove the annoying barrier.
Paul Luxoro, a resident of Westerleigh, was seen observing the fencing being taken down by city personnel.
I’m glad the fence is being taken down. Luxoro remarked, “I have no idea why they posted it.” The wall was in perfect condition.
On January 21, 2025, Paul Luxoro, a resident of Westerleigh, observes city workers removing contentious fencing at the Martling Avenue Bridge. (Jan Somma-Hammel/Staten Island Advance)Jan. Somma-Hammel/Staten Island Advance
At first, the DOT claimed that the barrier would increase bridge safety, including for pedestrians crossing beneath it. Additionally, the DOT stated that whenever it replaces or renovates a bridge structure that spans roads, railroads, or navigable bodies of water, it installs pedestrian fencing.
Both Staten Island and our standard of living benefit from this. The mayor listened to my coworkers and me as we expressed the community’s strong objection to this fence. Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island/South Brooklyn) expressed his happiness at seeing it come down today and thanked Borough President Fossella and Council Member Hanks once more for their collaboration on this matter.
Fishermen will once more be able to cast their reel over the edge of the bridge, and memorial flowers for the deceased can be thrown into the sea below. Visitors can enjoy the busy wildlife that calls the park and lake home without any visual hindrance, and wedding photos can be shot without hesitation.
BP Jan. 21, 2025: Workers at Martling Pond remove the barrier while Vito Fossella and Kamilla Hanks survey the area. Jason Paderon/Staten Island AdvancePaderon, Jason
According to Kamillah Hanks, a council member from the Democratic Party of the North Shore, this is what occurs when we unite as a community. I owe a debt of gratitude to my government colleagues, the Department of Transportation, and Mayor Eric Adams for their collaboration and support. The community members that stood up, remained involved, and made their voices known deserve the most recognition, though. They deserve this triumph. In order to ensure that public space initiatives are influenced by the people who utilize them, I’m determined to continue advocating for my legislative proposal. The areas that keep our neighborhoods intact will be preserved and enhanced by this law.
Community effort
On January 21, 2025, city workmen are seen removing barriers at the Martling Avenue Bridge next to Clove Road. (Jan Somma-Hammel/Staten Island Advance)Jan. Somma-Hammel/Staten Island Advance
Mayor Eric Adams overturned the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision to build the Martling Avenue Bridge, and a group of Staten Island government officials, led by Borough President Vito Fossella, announced in late December 2024 that two unsightly walls near the bridge would be taken down.
At a recent press conference to announce the fence’s dismantling, Fossella said, “I applaud the people of this community who rightfully stood up and protested.” Our voices were heard clearly and loudly. We made it clear that we would not be stopping.
Since the fence’s construction in November, local residents have been instrumental in the opposition against it.
On January 21, 2025, workers remove the barrier at Martling Pond. Jason Paderon/Staten Island AdvancePaderon, Jason
According to Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island/South Brooklyn), contractors conducted an evaluation on the property in December, and work to remove the barrier is anticipated soon.
Erin Jansky, a resident of Westerleigh, even started a change.Many contributors to the petition, which had gathered close to 2,000 signatures, recalled idyllic times spent at the bridge, which is a section of the Martling Dam, which was constructed between 1928 and 1929.
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