That red tape seems to have been worked out. Friends of East River State Park announced this morning that they have finally succeeded in getting the waterfront park reopened a month early. The State will continue to save its $444.44 a day, while locals will get to enjoy a bit of early spring.

Here’s an excerpt from the press release:

EAST RIVER STATE PARK WILL RE-OPEN SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST!

With spring right around the corner and weather getting warmer, we’re happy to report that the East River State Park on Kent Avenue between North 7th and 9th Streets in Williamsburg, Brooklyn will be open in time to enjoy nice days ahead.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (aka State Parks) plan was to close the East River State Park until the beginning of the next fiscal year (April 1st). The Friends of the East River State Park with help from Assemblyman Joe Lentol has been working to get the park open. After a letter from the Friends Group to the State Parks Commissioner—signed by thirty-two elected officials and statewide and local open space advocates—meetings and numerous phone calls, State Parks finally relented.

Friends is looking for volunteers to help keep the park clean during March. If you are interested, contact them at friendsoftheeastriverstatepark at gmail.com