Commodore Barry Park

21st CENTURY PARK SYSTEM: NYC PARKS UNVEILS DESIGN UPGRADES FOR COMMODORE BARRY PARK

Planned projects at this park reflect Commissioner Silver’s commitment to building a more equitable park system for all New Yorkers

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Community Board 2 Parks Committee Chair Barbara Zahler-Gringer, and community members to officially unveil the designs for two planned projects at Commodore Barry Park. Upon their completion, they will be two of more than 800 projects completed under Commissioner Silver’s leadership, advancing the City’s mission to build a more equitable 21st century park system.

“As Parks Commissioner, Mitch Silver dedicated seven and half years to ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to greenspaces that are beautiful, clean, and well-maintained,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “His passion and efficacy are reflected in the over 800 projects he’s completed, which now includes Commodore Barry Park. I thank him, the Parks Department, our local elected officials, and community organizers for pushing for a more equitable New York City.”

“We are excited to take the initial steps in reimagining and revitalizing Commodore Barry Park,” said Commissioner Silver. “As Commissioner I’ve prioritized working to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to quality parks, and I know how vital this greenspace is to the community it serves. We look forward to eventually breaking ground on these projects and improving these treasured assets. Thanks to funding from Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Council Majority Leader Cumbo, Borough President Eric Adams and New York State, the planned redesigned greenspace will offer new football and baseball fields, a new entrance to the park to make it more accessible from Navy Street, and so much more!”

“Since my time as City Councilwoman for this district, I have been relentless in my goal to see Commodore Barry Park—one of the many jewels of the neighborhood—reach its fullest potential. Today, I am proud to see that dream become a reality,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “This park has served as a space for Brooklynites for well over a century— housing sailors during World War I, providing a place to rest for the many men and women who worked at the Navy Yard, and in more recent times, a place to celebrate African-American art, music, and dance. With this planned renovation project, I’m proud that this community can once again discover this park, and all that it was meant to be.”

“One thing that COVID-19 reiterated to us is that open spaces and parks are the great backyards for communities throughout New York City,” said Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President. “I was pleased to be able to allocate $800,000 and secure additional state funding to advance the rehabilitation and improvements to turn Commodore Barry Park into a state-of-the-art open space that will serve the residents of the surrounding NYCHA facilities, and beyond. I thank my partners in government and the NYC Parks Department for their support and investments in park equity and open space.”

“Our greenspaces are the treasures of our communities, and our responsibility lies in ensuring future generations have the opportunity to benefit from their existence. With the increasing focus on the importance of our physical and mental health, the reconstruction of Commodore Barry Park will provide numerous opportunities for community members to exercise, play, and relax. I am especially thrilled that our children and our seniors will have a space that is beautiful, easily accessible, close, and safe for them to enjoy. I look forward to the revitalization of this park and the enhancement it will bring to our community,” said City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo.

The two planned reconstruction projects slated for Commodore Barry Park will completely re-imagine the greenspace. One project will reconstruct a major portion of the park, including the addition of new baseball and football fields. The project will also add sports lighting, new pathways, landscaping, security lighting, fences and a new more accessible entrance from Navy Street. This work is currently funded in the amount of $11.47 million by Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and a New York State grant.

The other planned project is not yet funded but will reconstruct the Multi-Purpose Play Area of the park. The proposed plan includes a full reconstruction of the playground and basketball courts; a brand-new lawn with sitting and picnic areas; climbing and handball walls; a senior and adult fitness area; walking paths and a plaza entrance.

In addition to these planned projects, a reconstruction of the park’s comfort station is currently in procurement. That project is expected to move into construction later this year.

Commodore Barry Park was acquired in 1836 by the Village of Brooklyn and named "City Park." It is the oldest park in the borough. It was renamed for Commodore Barry in 1951, due to its location next to the Brooklyn Navy Yard that Barry helped found. The Navy Yard has played an important role in the local economy since it opened in 1801, employing over 70,000 men and women 24 hours a day at its peak operation during World War II. In 1966 the Navy Yard was sold to the City of New York and was then converted into an industrial park.

800+ COMPLETED CAPITAL PROJECTS

Under the leadership of Commissioner Silver, since 2014 NYC Parks has completed more than 800 capital projects across the five boroughs, advancing the City’s mission to build a more equitable park system for present and future generations. Under this administration, the agency has brought our park system into the 21st century, with guidelines focused on resiliency and access and leading with a data-driven approach to increasing park equity. Parks has also improved its capital process in order to take on more projects and complete them faster. Through these strategies, the agency has reimagined how we invest in parks across the city, including those in communities with the greatest need for open-space improvements that had not seen investment in decades. Parks’ 10-year capital budget is $5.2 billion—the completed projects over the past seven years represents a $1.96 billion investment.