October 12, 2011 To: The NYC Design Commission From: Charles Denson Re: Replacing Coney Island's

wooden Boardwalk with a concrete surface The plan to resurface the historic Coney Island Boardwalk with concrete slabs is a shortsighted and dangerous project for many reasons. A concrete surface is a liability that will be prone to cracking from ice and the salty seaside environment. The inevitable patches and repairs will be unsightly, dangerous, and, unlike a wooden surface, unsustainable and difficult to maintain. The sections that have been replaced are already cracking and pitting less than a year after installation. The Coney Island Boardwalk is a landmark that was designed to provide a cool and lofty respite from the city's heat. Concrete intensifies that heat and the concrete's bright color is blinding and disorienting. A hard concrete surface is hazardous to runners. The city's rationale for using concrete is spurious. Concrete is not cheaper than aesthetically pleasing recycled alternative decking materials such as Trex, TimberTec, and Dreamdec. The Parks Department is transforming the Boardwalk into a hideous concrete thoroughfare designed to support heavy vehicles, not pedestrians. New York will lose a beautiful and historic landmark if this concrete work is not stopped. Sincerely,

Charles Denson Director, Coney Island History Project Author, Coney Island: Lost and Found erdenson(ri),earthlink.net Coney Island History Project 3059 West 12th Street Brooklyn, NY 11224