Opponents say expanding the American Museum of Natural History would ruin a popular community park

A multimillion-dollar proposal to expand Manhattan's iconic American Museum of Natural History faces opposition from nearby residents who fear construction will ruin part of a neighborhood park they say offers families a needed respite amid the bustle of urban living.

The $325 million plan would include a 218,000-square-foot building with space set aside for science and research, a new museum library, and educational programs focused on school-age children and teachers.

Opponents say the project will swallow up a section of the adjacent Theodore Roosevelt Park that nearby residents view as a vital part of their community.

"Our basic concern is that this beautiful little neighborhood oasis, a sweet spot for residents, should be preserved," said Sig Gissler, who lives close to the museum and is president of Defenders of Teddy Roosevelt Park Inc.

A petition aimed at stopping the project and circulated by Gissler's organization has so far collected 2,380 signatures, he said.

According to a detailed explanation of the project on the museum's website, it would require the removal of nine trees in the section of the park beloved by residents.

The expansion on Columbus Avenue needs approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Museum officials hope to begin construction in 2017 ahead of the museum's 150th anniversary in 2019. The center would open in 2020.

Expansion plans have already been scaled back in response to neighbors' concerns.

"We are trying to be respectful to the park and the community," said Ellen Futter, the museum's president. "We have tried to balance this by building on 80 percent of our existing footprint."

Futter said the expansion would take up about one-quarter of an acre of the park.

According to the museum's website, which includes a detailed explanation of the expansion, "the current design proposes planting 17 new trees and adding new park benches, with an expected net increase in the number of both, all with the goal of preserving the existing character of the park."

In the past 20 years, annual museum attendance has increased from 3 million to 5 million visitors, Futter said.

"We need more space to modernize our learning spaces that can offer exhibition components . . . and sophisticated technology that will give access and train our school children to think in a scientific way for the 21st century," Futter said.

If approved, the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation will have space for science, technology, engineering and math programs. It will provide space for the Urban Advantage Program that serves 80,000 school children and 800 teachers.

Gissler said the trees targeted for removal "are 50 to 75 years old. The trees provide shade. This is where moms and dads teach their kids to ride a bike. . . . This is a precious space for residents."