By Philip Newman
Mayor Michael Bloomberg opened a new waterfront park in Long Island City Wednesday two days after City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) announced the allocation of $2.5 million for the restoration of Queensbridge Park.
“Opening up more of our city’s waterfront for public enjoyment has been a top priority for this administration,” said Bloomberg. “Around the city, we’ve reclaimed abandoned or neglected parts of our waterfront and turned them into innovative open spaces. I know that Hunters Point South Waterfront Park will quickly join the list of beloved greenspaces along our city’s shores.”
Construction of the Hunters Point South Waterfront Park project, as well as the roadway’s design and construction, was led by the city Economic Development Corp. The park, which also features an adult fitness area, a dog run, a garden that incorporates historic rail tracks on the site with vegetation and a small beach, is operated and maintained by the city Parks Department.
The project is be open for the 2013-14 academic year.
Hunters Point South Waterfront Park and related structures were built at a cost of $66 million, financed primarily by the city Department of Housing. The Federal Highways Administration provided $1.56 million for roadway development, administered through the state Department of Transportation, while the Council provided $320,000 for natural turf in the park.
“The opening of Hunters Point South Waterfront Park is another step forward in the revitalization of Queens’ East River Waterfront,” said Borough President Helen Marshall.
As for Queensboro Park, Van Bramer said, “it is extremely important that every single senior and child who lives in Queens knows that our city has allocated every single cent so we could make sure that western Queens has a park that rivals Central Park in Manhattan or any other park in the city of New York.
“Queensbridge Park is a jewel within western Queens. We have commenced another project, which is part of the ongoing revitalization of Queensbridge Park.”
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-260-4536.
