Bronx Could Lose Over 19 Acres of Public Parkland to Bally’s Casino Development
Larchmont, NY — In a rushed move that sparked public outrage, the New York State Senate and Assembly voted within 16 hours to strip more than 19 acres of waterfront parkland in the Bronx from public use. The bill clears the way for Bally’s Corporation to build a 3.1 million-square-foot casino complex in Ferry Point Park. There was no public notice. No chance for community comment.
“This is a clear loss for New Yorkers,” said David Ansel, vice president of Save the Sound’s Center for Water Protection. “Parkland, especially in dense urban areas like the Bronx, is irreplaceable. The community has already voiced strong opposition to this project. That’s also including a Community Board vote against it. Yet the Legislature ignored them. For this move prioritizes private development over public good.”
In May, Save the Sound also submitted comments to the Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination (MOEC) on the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The group warned about major environmental risks tied to the casino’s size and location. In addition, this site also borders Westchester Creek and the upper East River. For these are two waterways already severely polluted.
Key environmental concerns included:
Increased stormwater runoff and wastewater with no clear management plan. Pollution and health risks from disturbing a capped landfill and air quality threats from significantly increased traffic are just some of the concerns.
Bally’s released a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) earlier this month, but it only addressed some concerns. Many key questions remain unanswered. The biggest is what land will replace the 19+ acres taken from Ferry Point Park. As of now, no alternative parkland has been identified or approved.
This gap raises serious issues. Without a clear replacement plan, families lose access to vital green space. In dense urban areas like the Bronx, every acre of parkland matters. Therefore, removing land without a substitute sets a dangerous precedent. Moreover, it signals that private development outweighs public health and community well-being.
“Passing this bill without securing a replacement plan is irresponsible,” said Ansel. “The Legislature failed to do its due diligence, and the public loses because of it.”
Save the Sound will be Submitting More Comments
Save the Sound will also submit more comments on the FEIS to MOEC this Monday. The group will also attend Wednesday’s City Planning Commission meeting. At that meeting, CPC will review Bally’s request for zoning and land-use changes. So if CPC approves, the project moves to the City Council for a final vote. Then if both bodies approve, Bally’s can apply by June 27 for one of three downstate gaming licenses from the State Gaming Commission later this year.
So therefore if the CPC or City Council denies the request, the casino project cannot move forward.
📄 Read Save the Sound’s DEIS Comments
📰 More on parkland alienation – Blog Part 1 | Part 2
Conclusion
In addition, this rushed approval giveaway of 19+ acres of Ferry Point Park to Bally’s Casino is most definitely more than just a land-use decision. It marks a turning point for the Bronx. Public parkland is not just open space. It protects communities from pollution, flooding, and climate threats. Once it’s gone, concrete and glass cannot replace it. Despite strong opposition and unresolved environmental risks, lawmakers put corporate profit ahead of the public good. The Bronx deserves better.
Call to Action
This fight is not over because the City Planning Commission and City Council still have the power to stop the project. Bronx residents, environmental advocates, and concerned New Yorkers must continue to raise their voices:
- Attend hearings and CPC meetings to demand accountability.
- Contact your City Council members and urge them to reject zoning and land-use changes that strip away irreplaceable parkland.
- Share information widely so neighbors understand what’s at stake—clean air, safe water, and public space for families.
- Support organizations like Save the Sound working on the frontlines to protect natural resources and hold decision-makers accountable.
Finally, Parkland alienation cannot become the new normal. Together, New Yorkers can send a strong message: our parks are for people, not for profit.
👉 Learn more and get involved at Save the Sound.
About Save the Sound
Save the Sound leads environmental efforts across the Long Island Sound region, working to protect clean water, preserve natural lands, restore ecosystems, and fight climate change. Learn more at savethesound.org.
