It's a smooth ride for cyclists and pedestrians along the East River Esplanade, where a dangerous hole has finally been filled. NY1's Susan Jhun filed the following NY1 for You report.
A gaping sinkhole sucking up a huge portion of the path along the East River Esplanade has at last been repaired.
"I had to go through the bush last time I went here. I had to slow down and scratch my skin," said cyclist Elfege Leylavergne. "It was not comfortable at all."
Or safe, which is why concerned residents reached out to NY1 for You back in May about the enormous hole, which had sat there for months.
"It's pretty dangerous, especially if you're a nighttime runner," said runner Byron Cordero.
"Fact of the matter is, the infrastructure of this area seems to be crumbling literally underneath us," said Clark Pena of El Barrio Unite.
At the time, a Parks Department spokesman said a contract was awarded to address the issue and the sinkhole was expected to be repaired by the end of June. After our first story aired, Parks increased safety measures, adding extra barricades and a designated walkway for runners and cyclists. However, when we checked back at the end of July, a month after the anticipated completion date, the hole was still not filled and the path blocked.
NY1 for You contacted Parks again and a spokesman said there was a delay due to weather and the delivery of materials, but he said Parks was on track to start installation of the pavers. Now, finally, the path is paved for a safe trip.