Gravesend Park

Parks & Recreation Breaks Ground At Gravesend Park

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe was joined today by City Council Member Simcha Felder, Community Board 12 Chair Alan Dubrow, fourth graders from P.S. 48 and preschoolers from Shira Head Start to break ground on the reconstruction of Gravesend Park in Borough Park, Brooklyn. Funding for the over $3 million project was allocated by Council Member Felder.

"New York City’s children deserve the best recreation facilities to develop their bodies and minds. Following this renovation, that is exactly what Gravesend Park will have," said Commissioner Benepe. "Youngsters will delight in the new playground with adventure play equipment, a play mountain, swings and a spray shower. Parkland is at a premium in Borough Park and we are commited to restoring our open space facilities throughout the community. I am grateful to Council Member Felder for generously allocating over $3 million to make these improvements a reality."

"This is an exciting moment for this neighborhood," said Council Member Felder. "Almost in spite of its name, there aren't many parks in Borough Park. I'm proud to have worked with the Parks Department to make sure that the parks that we do have are in good condition and serving the community as best as possible. Today's groundbreaking is further evidence of this commitment and I eagerly anticipate the final product."

Gravesend Park is being restored to best meet the recreational needs of toddlers and young children. Its reconstruction will include a new playground with adventure play equipment, swings, a spray shower and a play mountain. Tables, benches, brick pier steel fencing, a brick seat wall and garden areas are also included in the project. Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of this fall.

This parcel of land was first acquired in 1896 for construction of a disciplinary training school. The school closed in 1916 and Parks acquired the property in 1917. Although the community of Gravesend is further south of the Park, McDonald Avenue, which lies a few blocks to the east, used to be known as Gravesend Avenue.