Highbridge Park

NYC PARKS AND DEPUTY MAYOR ALICIA GLEN BREAK GROUND ON ANCHOR PARKS’ ASTORIA PARK PROJECT AND UNVEIL SCHEMATIC DESIGNS FOR ANCHOR PARKS CITY-WIDE PROJECTS

Four Anchor Parks Projects To Enter Construction Before Year End

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, Council Member Costa Constantinides, and community, in Queens’ Astoria Park to break ground on its Phase I Anchor Parks project; and unveiled the schematic designs for the four other Anchor Parks projects. Most are expected to open in 2020; by end of year four projects expect to be under construction, with the exception of Fresh Kills which is anticipated to enter construction in 2020.

Launched by Mayor de Blasio in August 2016, the Anchor Parks initiative committed a total of $150 million in City funding for major improvements at five large parks: Astoria Park in Queens, Highbridge Park in Manhattan, Betsy Head Park in Brooklyn, St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx, and Freshkills Park on Staten Island. More than 750,000 New Yorkers live within walking distance of the five Anchor Parks. Each was selected based on historical underinvestment, high surrounding population and potential for park development.

“The start of construction on major improvements to Astoria Park is a milestone for park equity not only in Queens, but for all of New York City,” said Deputy Mayor Glen. “With an Anchor Park in each borough, these investments fund renovations and new resources in long-overlooked parks serving a total of more than 750,000 New Yorkers.”

“These parks are neighborhood anchors - green spaces that serve as focal points for communities,” said Commissioner Silver. “When we announced the Anchor Parks initiative, we got overwhelming reaction from community members who gave us their input on how to use $30 million to make these old parks new again. And we’re proud to break ground on the Astoria Park project and announce today that construction will begin on three other first phases of these Anchor Parks projects in the next few months.”

“After years of hard work, community input, and collaboration, I’m thrilled we are able to break ground on Phase One of the new Astoria Park,” said Council Member Costa Constantinides, District 22. “This soccer field and track is over eight years in the making, and reflects a broader investment in making this park not only more accessible, but sustainable to meet the demands of the 21st Century. I am thankful Astoria Park was selected as just one of five anchor parks, giving it the proper attention this green space deserves.”

“Today’s groundbreaking is a proud moment for New York City parks and for the city as a whole. This impactful investment into Astoria Park will serve as a beacon for the community and provide Queens residents with wonderful enhanced opportunities for exercise and recreation,” said Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik.

Details and anticipated timelines for the Anchor Park projects are as follows:

Astoria Park, Queens
Phase One: This project includes a synthetic turf soccer field and track, site amenities and much needed erosion control. Anticipated Construction Completion Spring 2020.
Phase Two: This project includes the reconstruction of Charybdis Playground, spray shower, and comfort station. Anticipated Construction Completion Summer 2020

Highbridge Park, Manhattan
Phase One: This project will reinstate access to a 10-block stretch of the park, improve connectivity and pathways, and restore the historic Grand Staircase at Laurel Hill Terrace. The project will also improve safety and security with new park lighting, and improve ADA access. Anticipated Construction Completion Summer 2020.
Phase Two: This project will reconstruct Adventure Playground, creating a play-based active recreation playground featuring a spray shower, game tables, garden area and new comfort station. The project will also include adult fitness equipment at Sunken Playground. Anticipated Construction Completion Summer 2020.

St. Mary’s Park, the Bronx
Phase One: This project includes reconstruction of a heavily used ball field and dog run in the southeast corner of the site. Anticipated Construction Completion Spring 2020
Phase Two: This project includes reconstruction of the park’s pathways, passive central area, amphitheater and west comfort station. Anticipated Construction Completion Summer 2020

Betsy Head Park, Brooklyn
Phase One: This project will completely re-envision and reconstruct the multi-purpose play area, basketball courts, active fitness area, and new skate park. Anticipated Construction Completion Winter 2019
Phase Two: This project will reconstruct the southern portion of the park, including a large field, sports courts, seating areas, and reconstruction of the comfort station. Anticipated Construction Completion Summer 2020

Freshkills Park, Staten Island
This project will create multiple athletic fields, paths and trails, parking and a comfort station that will continue the development of South Park and the greater Freshkills Parkland Anticipated Construction Completion Fall 2022

All designs were based on community input gathered by Parks at public scoping meetings. NYC Parks designers compiled and analyzed community input, identifying which came up the most and fit within the scope of a capital master plan for the parks.

These improvements to larger parks complement the de Blasio Administration’s $318 million Community Parks Initiative, which has targeted 67 small neighborhood parks with transformative capital projects that include new playground designs, seating areas, green infrastructure to capture stormwater runoff, plantings and resurfaced playing courts.

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Highbridge Recreation Center