Freshkills Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, November 30, 2015

NYC Parks Cuts Ribbon On New Springville Greenway At Freshkills Park

Daniel Avila

Last week, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, joined Deputy Borough President Ed Burke, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, NYC Department of Sanitation Chiefs Steve Montanino and Chief Adam Conanan, Staten Island Parks Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone, and Freshkills Park Administrator Eloise Hirsh to cut the ribbon on the New Springville Greenway located along Freshkills Park on Richmond Avenue.

“This greenway is part of the redevelopment of Freshkills Park and provides critical safe linkages for pedestrians and bikes between the north and south shores of Staten Island,” said Parks Commissioner Silver. “Thanks to this project, Staten Islanders now have another way to get fit and stay healthy.”

“We haven’t even cut the ribbon yet, and I think we can all agree that the New Springville Greenway has already been a big hit with Staten Islanders,” said Borough President Oddo. “Almost since the day construction started, walkers, runners, and bicycle riders have been flocking to the Greenway to both enjoy the scenery and improve their health and fitness. It is a welcome addition to our borough, and provides us with another fun active recreation outlet. With the grand opening of the Ocean Breeze Track last week and this project, Staten Islanders now have more options than ever to become active.”

"The New Springville Greenway is another great amenity for the Borough of Parks, safely and conveniently connecting Staten Islanders with recreation and beautiful open space,” said City Council Minority Leader Steven Matteo.

Freshkills Park Administrator Eloise Hirsh said “this Greenway is now a hugely popular destination and is the best poster we could have to advertise the fact that Freshkills Park is, in fact, becoming the place it is meant to be! We are indebted to our partners at the Departments of Sanitation and Transportation who have helped pave the way, and to all the runners, walkers, bikers, and stroller moms using this greenway.”

“The Department of Sanitation is pleased to join the celebration at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the New Springville Greenway at Freshkills Park,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “This area has come a long way from being part of the world’s largest landfill. The Department is committed to working with the Parks Department and elected officials to make this development of the New Springville Greenway a bucolic and peaceful retreat for walkers, runners, and bicyclists.”

This new 3.3-mile, off-street multi-use path is part of the development of Freshkills Park. The greenway runs along the eastern edge of the park and parallel to Richmond Avenue, passing by the Staten Island Mall. It safely connects users with an existing on-street bike lane on Arlene Street in the north, the LaTourette Park bike path, and an anticipated bike lane planned for Arthur Kill Road in the south.

The construction of the Greenway included installation of a 10 to 12-foot-wide asphalt path, a wetland overlook deck, drainage systems, and provided sidewalk reconstruction and improvements. Bioswales were installed along the project length to manage stormwater in a sustainable way and native plantings were used to restore natural areas. Bikers, runners and walkers are able to use benches and bike racks placed along the route.

The project, completed this summer on time and under budget, was funded by a $7.8 million Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Grant from the Federal Highway Administration with an additional allocation of $2.4 million from the Mayor’s Office.

For more information on other perimeter projects located at Freshkills Park and to view an events and tour schedule, visit the Freshkills Park Alliance web page at www.freshkillspark.org.