The HarborLAB crew had a great time celebrating City of Water Day by partnering with the Randall’s Island Park Alliance to provide free public kayaking. We were able to serve the island thanks to supporters of The WAEV (water access electric vehicles), HarborLAB’s unique innovation: a zero emissions mobile pop-up boathouse filled with next-generation inflatable tandem kayaks. Participants explored the Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh natural restoration area and the Harlem River (or as some argue, west branch of the East River). Both groups are deeply grateful to Hudson River Foundation for a grant supporting this work and to Waterfront Alliance for promotion of citywide events. As it happens, the founder of HarborLAB also founded what became City of Water Day back in 2007 as The Five Borough Harbor Ramble.

The crew faced weather and consequential water quality challenges. Heavy rains overwhelm the city’s sewer system, which combines wastewater with stormwater rushing into street drains. Rather than have that glut of water back up into homes, it’s released untreated into the estuary. The west side of Randall’s Island Park doesn’t have sewer pipe ends, but there are a number of them along the nearby Manhattan coastline and there were runoffs from athletic fields and other surfaces.

To mitigate negative impacts, we distributed hand sanitizer, used “dry ride” boats without scupper holes, delayed our launch and provided this cautionary note for volunteers and public participants to be better equipped to give informed consent:

Please be advised that there is an added risk for individuals who are immunocompromised when participating in activities involving direct contact with impaired waterways, especially after major rain events. These conditions can increase the presence of harmful contaminants in the water, posing a heightened health risk.

We urge immunocompromised participants to take extra precautions or consult with their healthcare provider before engaging in these activities. These conditions are caused by NYC's combined sewer overflows. To learn more, visit the Riverkeeper and SWIM Coalition (Stormwater Infrastructure Matters) websites. 

Special thanks to Randall’s Island Park Alliance’s Chris Girgenti and Abigail Natelson, director of environmental programs and manager of public programs, respectively. A huge round of applause and hugs of gratitude to the HarborLAB crew: Sally Attia, Finola Fung-Khee, Monique Fung-Khee, Richard Furlong, Ira Gershenhorn, Damian Griffin, and Stella Schour. What a generous and kind mix of educators, environmental scientists, technologists and activists!