Columbus Park

Pedestrian Paths Open Once More At Columbus Park

Thursday, January 29, 2009
No. 5
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe announced that all pedestrian pathways inside of Columbus Park in Brooklyn are once again open to the community. Certain paths were previously fenced off during renovations to a parking lot used by Brooklyn Supreme Court judges.

"Columbus Park is the largest and busiest gathering place in Downtown Brooklyn and we are pleased that all of its pedestrian paths are once again open to the community," said Commissioner Benepe. "Whether frequenting the Greenmarket, having lunch on the steps of Borough Hall, or even going to jury duty, Brooklynites can now enjoy a car-free park. We are grateful to the local community, who advocated for the park, and to the Law Department and the justices of the Brooklyn Supreme Court for their cooperation in reconstructing the parking lot, that allows us to remove vehicles from pedestrian areas."

Prior to the parking lot's restoration, a pedestrian pathway in between the lot and Borough Hall was also used for overflow parking. In an effort to eliminate parking from this area, the Parks Department built a new entrance to the lot on Adams Street. During the construction, which began in the fall, judges temporarily parked their cars on the pedestrian plaza north of Borough Hall. Now, with work complete and the cars moved back inside of the lot, these paths are once again open to all visitors of Columbus Park.

The Parks Department thanks the Law Department, the Brooklyn Supreme Court and the entire local community for their cooperation and patience as this matter was resolved.