February 10, 2012 Dear Members of the Design Commission: We would like to voice our support for a wooden

- n Brighton Beach and Coney Island. on e e or concre b based - Boardwalk in

The historic wooden Boardwalk is the jewel of our shoreline community. There is nothing to compare with the feeling of walking on those wooden planks. The wood beneath your feet reminds you that you have left the urban jungle and that you are now in a recreational area, The subtle 'give' of the wood surface is better for the joints of walkers and joggers alike. The small sections of the Boardwalk that have been replaced with concrete are absolutely deplorable. The bumpy, non skid surface causes a very unpleasant vibrating motion for baby carriages and senior citizens' walkers. It is already stained and cracked. If you are walking along the Boardwalk, you instantly feel the difference in your legs and hips as you transition from the wooden surface to the concrete surface. We understand that there are plans to try a new design that would place decorative planks atop a concrete slab construction. However, this will do nothing to ameliorate the sensation that you are
walking on concrete instead of wood, In addition, the concrete slab base will eliminate the drainage that now occurs between the planks,

Ahhoughnoinfo/es woods can no longer be used for Boardwalk construction and repairs, we understand that there are plenty of sustainable woods and treated wood products available. So why isn't the Parks Department using these products? The answer is that although the Boardwalk was designed for people and has performed that purpose for almost a century - the Parks Department would rather have a concrete highway that will support cars and trucks. The citizens of New York depend on you, the members of the Design Commission, to stand up for the aesthetics that make our city not only beautiful, but livable. We implore you to preserve the WOODEN not concrete- Coney Island Boardwalk,

Sincerely,

Arlene Brenner, Community Liaison