COVID-19 put New York on PAUSE

On Sunday, March 22, all non-essential businesses statewide closed when Governor Cuomo announced the “New York State on PAUSE” executive order.  Our hearts broke for our city during this time. Our city was turned upside down and we lost so many of our neighbors to the awful virus.

But something incredible emerged out of the awfulness of it all.  The number of infections began to dwindle because our community came together to stop it. From the health care and essential workers who took to the front lines, to those who stayed at home to stop the spread, everyone did their part.

The following note was posted on our homepage for the duration of New York’s PAUSE. Reopening began June 8, 2020 in phases as New York slowly began to pick up. The global pandemic gave all of us a lot to think about as we continue an equitable solution to accessing safe urban rivers for all New Yorkers.