One Stop at a Time: A Shuttle’s Mission to Provide Access from Hunts Point to the Sound
THE POINT CDC is a grant recipient of the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) in 2024. LISCIF is a partnership among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Restore America’s Estuaries, and the Long Island Sound Partnership. LISCIF’s purpose is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities for addressing environmental issues and to improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. The program provides capacity building opportunities to organizations, institutions, Tribes, and municipalities.
Long Island Sound is only half a mile away from the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx. Despite its proximity, the path is an arduous one for many residents who live close to the water. To enjoy Barretto Point Park, located where the East River meets the Long Island Sound, pedestrians must walk from their home through an industrial area for 30 minutes. During the hotter months, the trek is almost impossible. A local community-based organization, THE POINT CDC, decided to address this challenge.
In 2024, THE POINT CDC piloted THE POINT to Parks Free Shuttle Service, providing access to the waterfront for Hunts Point residents. The electric shuttle transports locals from inland locations and drops them off at beautiful waterfront parks that overlook the Sound. Some of the stops include Barretto Point Park, Hunts Point Riverside Park, and Concrete Plant Park.
LISCIF’s Funding Priorities and metrics are directly tied to the Long Island Sound Partnership’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). One of the themes of the 2015 CCMP is Sustainable and Resilient Communities, which THE POINT CDC identified as its focus for their project.
THE POINT CDC accomplished implementation actions and objectives of the 2015 CCMP, including Strategy 3-1a1 and Objective 3-2b under the Sustainable and Resilient Communities theme. The main implementation actions and objectives targeted by THE POINT CDC were Strategy 3-1a1: Encourage opportunities to enjoy Long Island Sound through activities such as fishing, swimming, and bird watching and Objective 3-2b: Providing youth with opportunities to learn about Long Island Sound and its related issues, including informal education activities, and in-the-field and hands-on learning.
The electric shuttle increased opportunities to enjoy the Sound by transporting 1,026 people to engagement events, including concerts, cool downs, and the City of Water Day. Not only that, but the events included activities for youth and families, such as water quality testing, artmaking, and actually getting into the watershed and estuary to conduct clean-ups. The shuttle project is increasing access and fostering awareness of the Sound’s waters and how its visitors can care for them.
The parks not only boast recreational features and events, such as paddleboarding and festivities, but they also protect the mental health of the community. In a conversation with Barbara Alicea, THE POINT CDC’s Managing Director, said, “This is part of mental health… our families need to utilize the spaces that they have. [Communities] shouldn’t feel imprisoned. [Community members] already feel imprisoned without having accessibility.” Bird watching, enjoying the sounds and sights of the estuary, getting together with loved ones. These are all of the ways access to the Sound has improved the lives of Hunts Point residents.
Through funding from the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund, the shuttle has operated and increased its ridership from 2024 to 2025, from 312 in the first year and 714 in the second. THE POINT CDC’s staff possess an unwavering commitment to the communities of the Hunts Point neighborhood. Their goal is to own two permanent electric vans with the organization’s branding and logos so they can be easily recognized by the community and be safe for them to ride. As the pilot program continues, the addition of two permanent vans will make it easier, faster, and safer for residents to get to the waterfront. Additional funding for this project can support the ultimate success of this goal.
Maria Torres, President and COO of The Point CDC, shared, “…before you really couldn’t be on the Bronx River and see it.” In previous years, the waterfront was deemed inaccessible, but through the Point to Parks Free Shuttle Service, creating access points for communities to the Sound is becoming attainable with one stop at a time.
THE POINT CDC is a grant recipient of the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) in 2024. LISCIF is a partnership among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Restore America’s Estuaries, and the Long Island Sound Partnership. LISCIF’s purpose is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities for addressing environmental issues and to improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. The program provides capacity building opportunities to organizations, institutions, Tribes, and municipalities.
