A park along the East River could look vastly different in heavy rains.

The idea to revamp 2.2-mile stretch along the East River is providing locals a place to play on the same land protecting them against the effects of climate change.

It's all near a low-income neighborhood that Hurricane Sandy flooded.

But now residents say the city should try again.

"I think that it's a good attempt, but I think that there's still a ways to go," said Damaris Reyes.

Reyes is on Community Board Three on the Lower East Side. It and Community Board Six, which is north of it, each recently passed unanimous resolutions opposing the plan.

Both boards recognize the need for the park, but add they're underwhelmed.

For one, plans call for a flood wall to cut a new park in two.

Farther south, they want more emphasis on "world class design" and an education center.

That's something the state is using in a similar project underway on Staten Island.

"We have a chance here to show the rest of the world what you can do," Reyes said.

Community boards can't block the projects themselves, but they can pressure elected officials like Manhattan City Councilman Keith Powers.

"At the end of the day, I feel very strongly that we're going to have to incorporate those concerns into a final plan that really actually protects our waterfront," Powers said.

But this complicated project carries a tight deadline. Federal rules requires much of the nearly $340 million budgeted be spent by September of 2022.

Plus, there's always the threat a major storm could again deluge the area.

Since it was first announced nearly four years ago, the project's timeline has been pushed back by years.

In recent documents, the city said groundbreaking will be next spring, with completion in 2024.

Standing by the dates, the city adds it intends to address both boards' issues, adding in a statement: "...to ensure this vital public safety project not only protects our residents from coastal storms and sea level rise but is also a beautiful community amenity."

Image above courtesy the City of New York.