CODY HERrMANN
2021 Culture Push Fellow, Fellowship for Utopian Practice
Cody Ann Herrmann is an artist and community organizer based in Flushing, Queens, NYC. Guided by her interest in public space, participatory design methods, and urban resilience Cody’s work often explores urban planning processes while applying an iterative, human centered approach to ecological problem solving. Since 2014 her work has focused on her hometown of Flushing, creating projects critiquing policy related to land use and environmental planning in areas surrounding Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek.
PROJECT: FLUSHING WATERWAYS BOATHOUSE
Today Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek, located on the north shore of Queens, NYC, are at a turning point. Virtually every inch of coastline along the Flushing Waterways is incorporated into large scale development projects. Before cement is poured a small window of time exists to promote equitable development and participatory planning processes along Flushing Bay and Creek.
Currently, Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek lack formal access points to directly engage with the water's edge. By providing options to paddle in kayaks and canoes for free, and creating a field station for additional activities centered on caring for and learning about the surrounding ecology, establishing a boathouse along the Flushing Waterways will increase opportunities for area residents to engage directly with the waterfront. A series of paddling tours, beach days, and collaborations with nonprofits, City agencies, civic groups, and volunteers will inform the location and operating framework of the boathouse.
Planning proposals and rezonings along the Flushing Waterways including but not limited to the Special Flushing Waterfront District (2019), LaGuardia AirTrain (2021), Special Willets Point District (2008), FMCP Strategic Framework Plan (2008), and Flushing Bay and Creek Long Term Control Plans (2016/2014), some of which were first drafted before Hurricane Sandy, often overlook the imminent threats of the climate crisis, and encourage increased density while lacking resilient design features suggested for ecologically vulnerable areas. The surrounding neighborhoods of Flushing, East Elmhurst, Willets Point, Corona, Jackson Heights, and College Point deserve better. By establishing a community boathouse and new opportunities for area residents to interact with the waterfront, governing agencies and private stakeholders will have an increased obligation to these water users, to take care of and steward the water and land surrounding Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek through a more equitable framework.