Van Nest Park

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, May 12, 2015

NYC Parks Cuts The Ribbon On Renovated Railroad-Themed Van Nest Park

Photo by Malcolm Pinckney

On Friday, May 8, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP joined Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Council Member James Vacca, NY State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Community Board 11 Chairman Tony Vitaliano, Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance Counsel Bob Nolan and the Bronx Charter School for Excellence to cut the ribbon on the renovated Van Nest Park.

“This beautifully redesigned park which honors this community’s history will once again be a beloved public space for this neighborhood,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “Thanks to our Bronx elected officials who have been dedicated to improving our green spaces throughout the borough, this park will be enjoyed for generations to come.”

The renovation of Van Nest Park, which is in the theme of a 19th century railroad, includes new play equipment, a spray shower, swings, drinking fountain, benches, new painted game lines, and landscaping.

Funding for this $1.35 million project was generously allocated by Council Member Torres, Council Member Vacca, and Bronx Borough President Diaz Jr.

This project was also possible thanks to the hard work of Park’s Capital Team which included, Landscape Architects Renata Sokolowski and Kusalee Vachananda. Enginers Yelena Lyubarskaya and Ahamad Baksh and Construction Director Andrew Letterese and Assistant Construction Director Paul Eng.

Van Nest Park takes its name from the Van Nest Railroad Station, which served the community in the late 19th century. The New York, New Haven, Hartford Railroad Company established the railroad station in the neighborhood even before there was a settlement. The station was named by Abraham Reynier Van Nest, the director of the New York, New Haven, Hartford Railroad, in honor of his father, Reynier Van Nest, a successful saddle maker. The Van Nest family traces its roots to Pieter Pietersen Van Nest, who came from the Netherlands in 1647 to settle in the young Dutch colony.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

Herm Albright

(1876-1944)