Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways

Parks Cuts Ribbon On Improvements To Canarsie Park

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe today joined Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and City Council Member Lewis A. Fidler to cut the ribbon on $6.5 million in renovations to Canarsie Park, including a new regulation-sized Cricket Field, just in time for the Mayor’s Cup Cricket Tournament finals, which took place later in the day.

“Today the best cricket players in the city have come to Canarsie Park for the Mayor’s Cup Cricket Tournament,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Thanks to the support of Council Member Lew Fidler, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Mayor Bloomberg, and members of the community, we now have a world-class cricket facility right here in Canarsie. In addition to cricket, members of this neighborhood can now also enjoy the park’s beautifully landscaped lawns, new benches, and picnic area.”

The ceremony celebrates the completion of the first phase of renovations to Canarsie Park, generously funded by allocations of $2.9 million from Council Member Fidler, $650,000 from Borough President Markowitz, and $2.65 million from Mayor Bloomberg.

The renovation project included construction of the cricket field, new paths, bleachers, steel fencing perimeters, drinking fountains, a picnic grove, benches, and new lighting. The environmentally sensitive plan contoured the landscape for on-site water management including the construction of two lakes. New landscaping of the natural areas includes special grass mixes for the lawns and native herbaceous perennials including wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.

The second phase of renovations is set to begin this fall. It includes the construction of pathways, a fitness trail with exercise stations, an open music pavilion, new park lighting, bicycle racks, benches and steel fencing. New landscaping will include lawn areas, shrubs, and new trees. This phase has been funded by a $3.6 million allocation from Council Member Fidler and $115,000 allocated by Mayor Bloomberg.

The third and final phase of reconstruction is currently in design. It will feature a new skate/BMX park and a new playground for this section of the park. The “street style” skate area will be surrounded by the native plant species that have been introduced during the renovations and are now again characteristic of the park. The playground will include new play equipment, a spray feature, benches and additional native planting areas. Council Member Fidler and Borough President Markowitz funded this phase with allocations of $1.2 million and $600,000 respectively.

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Paerdegat Basin Park