A large patch of the poison ivy plant has been the source of 311 complaints on an MTA-owned lot near the Pulaski Bridge, Gothamist reports.
The poison ivy plant has reportedly been spotted throughout our urban jungle this season, which may be a result of mild winters.
The specific patch of poison ivy causing a stir near the much-traveled Pulaski Bridge is “right off Jackson Avenue and is now encroaching onto the sidewalk,” in Long Island City.” More from Gothamist:
Local resident Rachel McKeon tells us residents of a nearby building have “complained via 311 about the poison ivy and nothing was done other than put up a small sign which is now completely warped by the plant and unreadable.” She added, “This is truly shocking and a fine example of NYC bureaucracy… You can’t make this shit up!”
The owner of this bucolic patch of land is the MTA, and they’re also in charge of that fence along with any landscaping on their property. The poison ivy appears to have grown from the untamed patch of land behind the fence, which is located right next to the LIRR tracks.
A spokesperson for the MTA, Aaron Donovan, confirmed with Gothamist that they own the property. “Yes, we own the land,” Donovan said, clarifying, “The MTA (actually the Long Island Rail Road) owns the land and the City of New York owns air rights 22 feet above the land.”
Poison ivy was removed on the 11th.