Highbridge Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, March 3, 2003

STATEN ISLAND GETS GREENER

On Wednesday, February 12, officials announced that 9.5 acres of land in Staten Island would become city parkland. The site, on the West Brighton neighborhood of the North Shore, will be purchased under a new program that helps the Port Authority balance redevelopment with the need to preserve natural areas. The Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit conservation organization, purchased the land on behalf of the Port Authority. The waterfront park will join other parks in Staten that provide waterfront access, such as South Beach, Conference House Park, and Lemon Creek Pier. The new park is known as Blissenbach Marina or North Shore Waterfront Park.

"The Staten Island waterfront is a key natural resource that must be preserved for future generations to enjoy," said New York Governor George E. Pataki. "Working side-by-side with environmental groups, we are identifying and working to preserve key tracts of land that will either improve access to the waterfront or preserve ecologically sensitive areas."

"Improving public access to the waterfront and creating new parks and natural areas is a priority of Mayor Bloomberg," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "Parks & Recreation looks forward to working with the Port Authority, the Trust for Public Land, Borough President Molinaro and Council Member McMahon to provide new parks for the people of Staten Island's North Shore and wildlife refuges for our animal inhabitants."

"The growth of Staten Island’s North Shore has been phenomenal during the past decade," said Port Authority Vice Chairman Charles Gargano. "It serves as home to a new minor league ballpark, a major marine terminal, numerous cultural organizations and steady residential growth. We must ensure that we balance this rapid rate of development with the need to preserve critical parcels of land along the waterfront to greatly enhance the quality of life for residents who live and work there."

This property is one of several such properties that will be acquired under a $60 million Port Authority program. The properties under consideration are required to provide public waterfront access, preserve important natural resource areas, and serve as buffer zones around existing Port Authority facilities.

Danny Mercado was recently named the new Parks & Recreation Manager for Manhattan’s Districts 1 and 2, which is comprised of over 50 parks and playgrounds, including Washington Square Park, Battery Park and City Hall Park.

"Danny is a great example of someone who embraces new challenges for an opportunity to move forward," said Commissioner Benepe. "His background in park management has prepared him well to oversee two of the City’s most historic and varied districts."

"Dan comes to his new positions with a lot of experience in a very busy district in northern Manhattan," said Manhattan Borough Commissioner William Castro. "He is a manager who very much enjoys working with the community and helping volunteer groups achieve their goals in local parks."

Mercado joined Parks & Recreation in 1985 and until a few weeks ago, he was the Park & Recreation Manager for Manhattan’s District 12 and prior to that he was the Park Supervisor of Highbridge Park in upper Manhattan for three years. From 1993 to 1996 he was the Employment Unit Chief for Parks & Recreation Personnel and his first job with Parks & Recreation was as a Payroll Supervisor. Mercado is a resident of the Bronx and attended New York Institute of Technology.

"As always, victory finds a hundred fathers but defeat is an orphan."

(1903-1944)