Highbridge Park

NYC PARKS CUTS THE RIBBON ON ANCHOR PARKS RENOVATION AT ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND IN HIGHBRIDGE PARK

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Community Board 12 Chair Eleazar Bueno and Parks Committee Chair Elizabeth Lorris Ritter, and community members to officially unveil the reconstruction of Adventure Playground. The project was completed as part of a two-phase investment in Highbridge Park through the Anchor Parks initiative, which is still in progress.

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 site was selected based on historical underinvestment, high surrounding population and potential for park development.

“Adventure Playground has been completely reimagined into a dynamic playscape for the community,” said Commissioner Silver. “Through the Anchor Parks initiative, major upgrades to spaces and pathways will ensure that Highbridge Park serves as a neighborhood anchor for generations to come. We are so grateful to the Mayor, Council Member Rodriguez, and the State for investing in this historic park.”

In addition to the Mayor’s $30 million funding for Highbridge Park, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez contributed $600,000 and Parks received a Department of State grant for $500,000 as well.

“In collaboration with Mayor de Blasio, we secured over $30 million for Highbridge Park. Thanks to this investment, Adventure Playground is now completely remodeled and large parts of the park have been improved. I am proud to work alongside Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver. Together we are also renovating the Highbridge Water Tower as well as other playgrounds and parks in our Uptown community,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. “Northern Manhattan has more than 500 acres of green space. We know the important role that parks and recreational centers provide for the well-being of a community. I will continue to work alongside Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Commissioner Silver to ensure that we continue improving our local community playgrounds and green spaces.”

“The pandemic has demonstrated how much we need high quality public spaces,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “The renovation of Highbridge Park, including Adventure Playground, the addition of an adult fitness area and a new synthetic-turf soccer field, and improved lighting and walkways, comes at a needed time.”

As part of Anchor Parks, Adventure Playground was completely reconstructed, creating a play-based recreation space with equipment for all ages and abilities. The playground now features a spray shower, game tables, a synthetic turf play area, and plantings.

The Highbridge Park project is being executed in two phases, outlined below:

• Phase I: The project will reinstate access to a 10-block stretch of the park, improve connectivity and pathways, restore the historic Grand Staircase and construct an ADA-compliant plaza at W. 184th Street and Laurel Hill Terrace. The project will also improve safety and security with new park lighting, and construct a welcome garden at the Dyckman Street and Harlem River Drive entrance to the park. In construction.
• Phase II: The project has reconstructed Adventure Playground, added a new adult fitness area to the adjoining Sunken Playground, transformed an undeveloped area into a new synthetic turf soccer field, and installed lighting on the greenway to the High Bridge, improving access to the historic passageway between Manhattan and The Bronx. Construction on a new comfort station is anticipated to begin in 2021.

Highbridge Park is named after the High Bridge, the city's oldest standing bridge, which was once part of the first reliable and uninterrupted water supply system in New York City. The bridge and surrounding land came under Parks jurisdiction in 1960. The 130-acre park features important landmarks as well as open vistas, unique geology, and recreational offerings.

Know Before You Go

Highbridge Recreation Center