The Plight Of Teddy Roosevelt Park
Over the last several years the residents of the upper west side of Manhattan have been battling a plan by the American Museum Of Natural History to expand its footprint into a small but beloved park for the purpose of erecting yet another building, a vanity edifice to honor Richard Gilder. It is a well-used public park that has beautiful trees, a popular dog run, and benches where people gather to sit and enjoy the day. Squirrels and birds also call the park home but if the museum has it's way all will be uprooted for well over three years and the greenmarket along one side will also disappear. Environmental impact studies are being ignored as city officials and the museum board who consider this a done deal or as we’ve been as good as told by our city council member Helen Rosenthal, the fix is in. They dismiss, including the Commissioner Of Parks Silver, the damaging changes such a project will bring to a very small area…the toxins that will be released and the increase in the vast numbers of people who regularly come to the area. In addition, $100 million of taxpayer dollars is slated to be given to the museum for this expansion, money that could be better used elsewhere. It's especially galling when you consider that the museum doesn't pay a cent for the upkeep of the park in which it sits. It is paid for by the taxpayers of NYC. A recent email from The Community To Protect Theodore Roosevelt Park notes the climate denial aspect of much of its board, which includes Rebekah Mercer. This is what the email says in part…
“The American Museum of Natural History has been in the press over the last few weeks as journalists, spurred by scientists and fellow activists, have begun to take notice of the AMNH’s current and historic affiliations with individuals and companies that have strong connections to organizations that seek to discredit climate change and champion the fossil fuel industry.
Yet, none of these articles have mentioned the presence of Richard Gilder on the AMNH Board or his namesake project – the Gilder Center.
Gilder is less in the public eye, but his connections tell the tale. He currently serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Manhattan Institute and founded the Club for Growth; two organizations that continue to advance climate change denial and celebrated the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord.
We agree with the more than 450 scientists who say: “The most important asset any museum has is its credibility. This can be damaged by ties to donors and board members who are publicly known for investing in climate science obfuscation and opposing environmental solutions.”
Yet, the AMNH Administration dismisses these legitimate concerns. Instead, it continues to advance a project that causes direct harm to the surrounding community and honors a person affiliated with organizations that contradict the AMNH’s mission.
Community United to Protect Theodore Roosevelt Park stands opposed to this dangerous building and is fighting to protect the health, safety and public green space we hold dear.”
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