Nyc Parks

$348M restoration of Riverside Park is part of largest investment in 90 years

Photo of Riverside Park by Momos on Wikimedia

May 6, 2021

$348M restoration of Riverside Park is part of largest investment in 90 years

The city announced this week plans to provide $348 million in funding for the rehabilitation of major infrastructure in Riverside Park, marking one of the largest investments at the waterfront park since the 1930s. The project restores the "overbuild," a series of bridge structures built over the Amtrak tunnels between West 72nd and West 123rd Streets. The deteriorated structure has damaged pathways and affected the park's usability, according to the city.
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Architecture And Design

See the new $7M park coming to the Williamsburg waterfront

Rendering courtesy of NYC Parks

April 27, 2021

See the new $7M park coming to the Williamsburg waterfront

By Devin Gannon

Construction officially kicked off this month at a new section of the Bushwick Inlet Park in Williamsburg. The long-awaited two-acre green space, dubbed 50 Kent, is scheduled to open in April 2022. Designs of the parkland, which was promised by the city as part of the 2005 rezoning of the Greenpoint and Williamsburg waterfront, were approved in 2018, but work stalled due to COVID-related budget cuts, as Brooklyn Paper reported.
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Architecture And Design

Here’s where to volunteer to keep NYC parks clean this Earth Day

Photo of Central Park in May 2020 © 6sqft

April 21, 2021

Here’s where to volunteer to keep NYC parks clean this Earth Day

By Devin Gannon

This Earth Day, New Yorkers can give back to the green spaces that gave us so much during the last year by volunteering to help keep them beautiful. Several organizations and community groups are hosting cleanup sessions at parks across the five boroughs this week, allowing city residents to nurture their green thumbs, enjoy the springtime weather, and connect with nature. "There is no single greater resource than the natural world around us," Mitchell J. Silver, NYC Parks Commissioner, said in a press release. "The Earth offers us so much; it is our home and it is imperative that we work to protect, beautify, and preserve it." Ahead, find an Earth Day event happening in your neighborhood.
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Events & Things To Do

Waterfront restaurant and bar approved for the South Street Seaport

Renderings by Mancini Duffy, courtesy of the Landmarks Preservation Commission

April 14, 2021

Waterfront restaurant and bar approved for the South Street Seaport

By Devin Gannon

While the Howard Hughes Corporation has so far failed to get their South Street Seaport residential project approved, even with a scaled-down design, another plan from the developer in the same neighborhood was given the green light on Tuesday. The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to approve plans for an open-air restaurant and bar that would sit in front of the Tin Building, which was home to the original Fulton Fish Market and is now being reconstructed. The accepted proposal differs quite significantly from the one first presented last July; it's in a new location with a design by a different architecture firm.
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NYC reburies remains of early New Yorkers in Washington Square Park

All photos: NYC Parks / Daniel Avila

March 3, 2021

NYC reburies remains of early New Yorkers in Washington Square Park

By Devin Gannon

The New York City Parks Department on Tuesday reinterred the human remains of early New Yorkers found during construction in and around Washington Square Park. The skeletal remains were placed in a wooden box and buried five feet below grade within a planting bed, with an engraved paver marking the site at the southern entrance of the park near Sullivan Street. The remains were uncovered between 2008 and 2017, including the unearthing of two 19th-century burial vaults in 2015 that held the remains of at least a dozen people.
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History

NYC seeks new operators for Central Park ice rink and carousel after canceling Trump contracts

Photo of The Wollman Rink by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr

February 5, 2021

NYC seeks new operators for Central Park ice rink and carousel after canceling Trump contracts

By Devin Gannon

New York City on Friday issued two requests for proposals to operate an ice rink and carousel in Central Park formerly run by the Trump Organization. Following the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city would terminate agreements with former President Donald Trump's company for the operation of the Wollman and Lasker Rinks, the Central Park Carousel, and the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point. The city's Parks Department this week announced it is looking for new companies to operate and manage the Wollman Rink and the Carousel.
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Policy

New York City’s tributes to Martin Luther King Jr.

Stanziola, P. (1964) Mayor Wagner greets Dr. & Mrs. Martin Luther King, Jr. at City Hall / World-Telegram & Sun photo by Phil Stanziola. 1964. [Photograph]; Courtesy of the Library of Congress

January 15, 2021

New York City’s tributes to Martin Luther King Jr.

By Devin Gannon

While some of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s most memorable moments of his career happened further South, like the Montgomery bus boycott and his "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, support for his goals hailed first from advocacy organizations based in New York City, like the National Urban League. King held sermons at Riverside Church in Morningside Heights, led a march from Central Park to the United Nations in protest of the Vietnam War, and received a Medallion of Honor from Mayor Robert Wagner. As a way to honor King and his immense impact on the advancement of civil rights, the city has named streets, parks, playgrounds, and more after the icon. On MLK Day this Monday, celebrate by learning about memorials dedicated to him citywide.
Learn more about NYC's MLK memorials here

More than 80 NYC parks will shine bright with holiday light displays

Photo by Charley Lhasa on Flickr

December 15, 2020

More than 80 NYC parks will shine bright with holiday light displays

By Devin Gannon

Dozens of New York City parks will glow with holiday displays this year, bringing some much-needed cheer to all five boroughs. The city's Parks Department last week released an interactive map that marks all of the menorah and Christmas tree lightings at parks and administrative buildings in the city by borough. The agency is encouraging New Yorkers to stay local and enjoy the illuminated green spaces in their neighborhoods.
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Events & Things To Do

You can help beautify dozens of NYC parks this weekend

Photo by Tim Krause on Flickr

October 16, 2020

You can help beautify dozens of NYC parks this weekend

By Devin Gannon

More than 60 parks organizations and community groups are leading cleanups at green spaces across the city this weekend, in response to a growing trash problem at parks. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March, park use in New York soared, as it was one of the safest activities available to residents during the peak of the crisis. But the increase in visitors put additional strain on park management, which is struggling to keep up because of COVID-19 related budget cuts. On October 17, New Yorkers for Parks, City Parks Foundation, Partnership for Parks, and NYC Parks are encouraging New Yorkers to volunteer for a day of cleaning and beautifying the city's parks in every borough.
How to participate

NYC will resume issuing permits for youth sports leagues next month

Image by Hucklebarry from Pixabay

August 31, 2020

NYC will resume issuing permits for youth sports leagues next month

By Devin Gannon

The city's parks department will resume issuing permits for outdoor youth sports next month, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday. While the fields and ballparks have been open throughout the coronavirus pandemic, NYC Parks will issue permits for organized, low-risk sports played outdoors starting on September 15. Sports leagues for baseball, softball, and soccer will be issued permits, but indoor sports, including swimming, will not be allowed.
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Policy

As NYC parks see growing garbage problem, city launches anti-trash campaign

By Devin Gannon

Coronavirus-related budget cuts and an increase in use may be to blame for the growing garbage problem across New York City green spaces. As Gothamist reported, the number of 311 complaints about garbage and litter increased by 120 percent from the same period last summer. To address this increase in green space litter and to encourage New Yorkers to "show your park some love," the city's Parks Department launched a new "Toss Your Trash" campaign last week.
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July 29, 2020

This map explores NYC’s 19,000 acres of natural park land

By Devin Gannon

Contradictory to its "concrete jungle" nickname, New York City is home to over 19,000 acres of natural areas, consisting of forest, salt marsh, freshwater wetland, and streams. A new map from the Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) highlights the location, size, and condition of natural resources throughout the five boroughs, while comparing the percentage of green space among neighborhoods, parks, and City Council districts. When the coronavirus pandemic hit the city, New Yorkers explored more wild parts of city parks as a way to get fresh air and maintain a safe distance from others. But according to the Conservancy, the increase in visitors is putting additional strain on park management, at a time when budgets across the country are being slashed because of COVID-19.
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City Living

During the pandemic’s peak, low-income New Yorkers lacked access to quality green space

Photo of Sheep Meadow in Central Park on May 4, 2020 © 6sqft

July 16, 2020

During the pandemic’s peak, low-income New Yorkers lacked access to quality green space

By Devin Gannon

Parks and public green space proved to be a lifeline for New Yorkers during the peak of the pandemic, for both their physical and mental wellbeings. But not all parks are created equal, as reports from the city's Independent Budget Office and the Trust for Public Land found. In many low-income and minority neighborhoods, where cases and rates of death from COVID-19 were experienced disproportionately, residents lacked access to quality green space, especially when space like playgrounds and basketball courts, closed for nearly three months.
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Policy

Open-air cafe proposed along the East River in historic South Street Seaport

View from John Street Rendering courtesy of Woods Bagot/ NYC Parks

July 15, 2020

Open-air cafe proposed along the East River in historic South Street Seaport

By Devin Gannon

An open-air waterfront restaurant and bar could be coming to the South Street Seaport Historic District. The Howard Hughes Corporation and the city's Parks Department on Tuesday presented a proposal to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a new concession along the East River Esplanade under the FDR Drive overpass. Designed by Woods Bagot, the "Blockhouse Bar" would be a year-round establishment, with plans to add decking over the pavement, planters, and vinyl coverings during the winter months.
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Governors Island will reopen on July 15 with limited capacity

Photo by Kreg Holt

July 8, 2020

Governors Island will reopen on July 15 with limited capacity

By Devin Gannon

Summer is not totally canceled in New York City. Governors Island will officially reopen to the public next week for passive activities only and with a new reservation system for ferries. The Trust for Governors Island announced on Wednesday a system that lets visitors reserve tickets for ferry trips to the 172-acre site for the first time ever, as a way to allow for social distancing. Originally planned to open for the season in May, the Trust had postponed its opening in April because of the coronavirus.
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City Living

The High Line will reopen next week with timed-entry reservations

Photo by Iker Alonso on Flickr

July 6, 2020

The High Line will reopen next week with timed-entry reservations

By Devin Gannon

The High Line will reopen to the public this month with a new timed-entry reservation system. The elevated park, which had been closed since mid-March because of the coronavirus, will open on July 16, with free reservations available starting 10 a.m. on July 9. A limited number of walk-up passes will be available at the entrance at Gansevoort and Washington Streets each day.
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City Living

NYC beaches will open for swimming July 1

Photo of Coney Island by Dan DeLuca on Flickr

June 24, 2020

NYC beaches will open for swimming July 1

By Devin Gannon

Swimming will be allowed at New York City beaches starting July 1, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday. Although Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave the green light for state beaches to reopen last month in time for Memorial Day Weekend, the mayor had said the city was "just not ready" to handle the crowds of beachgoers, particularly on public transit. But with the city now in phase two of reopening, the ocean is no longer off-limits, as the Wall Street Journal first reported.
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Plan for mini beach and waterfront esplanade at Bushwick Inlet Park moves forward

Rendering courtesy of Abel Bainnson Butz, LLP.

June 18, 2020

Plan for mini beach and waterfront esplanade at Bushwick Inlet Park moves forward

By Devin Gannon

The city's plan to bring a waterfront park and small beach to Greenpoint is moving forward. The Parks and Waterfront Committee of Brooklyn's Community Board 1 earlier this month approved a revised design from New York City Parks and architect firm Abel Bainnson Butz for a 1.9-acre passive park at Bushwick Inlet Park. The nearly $10 million project redevelops and remediates a section of land known a the Motiva parcel, which is bounded by Kent Avenue and Quay Street and North 14th Streets.
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NYC to limit capacity at Hudson River Park and Domino Park after crowd issues

A photo of Pier 45 from 2016; Photo by Paul Sableman on Flickr

May 8, 2020

NYC to limit capacity at Hudson River Park and Domino Park after crowd issues

By Devin Gannon

The city will limit the number of people allowed in Hudson River Park in Manhattan and Domino Park in Brooklyn to prevent overcrowding. "We know we had some parks last weekend that were more crowded than they should have been," Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a press briefing on Friday. The news comes after a photo of a packed Christopher Street Pier, showing no visitors wearing masks, went viral last Saturday on Twitter.
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Policy

NYC is handing out 7.5 million free face coverings

Photo by Julian Wan on Unsplash

May 6, 2020

NYC is handing out 7.5 million free face coverings

By Devin Gannon

The city will distribute 7.5 million free face coverings to New Yorkers in parks, grocery stores, public housing, and near transit, ramping up an earlier effort launched last week. During a press briefing on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said "wherever you turn, you're going to be offered a face covering," over the next few weeks. Last month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order requiring New Yorkers to wear a face mask or face-covering in public spaces where social distancing is not possible.
Find out where to get a free mask

NYC beaches may be closed for the summer

Photo by Brian Kyed on Unsplash

April 15, 2020

NYC beaches may be closed for the summer

By Devin Gannon

Photo by Brian Kyed on Unsplash The city is considering closing New York City beaches for the summer in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the New York Post reported on Tuesday. Sources told the newspaper that the city's Parks Department has been directed by Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration to plan for "every scenario," which could mean full and partial closures of its 14 miles of beaches. The mayor also said this week that large gatherings may not be able to take place until the fall as the city continues to control the spread of the virus.
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Policy

Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay

April 1, 2020

All NYC playgrounds will now be closed

By Devin Gannon

Just one day after Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that 10 playgrounds across the city were closed because of overcrowding issues, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that all NYC playgrounds would be closed, seemingly going over the mayor's head. The governor did note that parks and other open spaces will remain open, though, he said, "The NYPD has to get more aggressive. Period," referring to social distancing requirements.
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Policy

$18.3M sustainable playground breaks ground at the Battery

The “bluffs” zone includes five granite slides and boulder scrambles; renderings courtesy of BKSK Architects & Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners

March 13, 2020

$18.3M sustainable playground breaks ground at the Battery

By Devin Gannon

As the threat of climate change grows, parks in New York City are working to become more resilient. Officials on Thursday broke ground on an $18.3 million waterfront playground at the Battery in the Financial District. The Battery Playscape, as it's being called, is expected to be one of the city's largest sustainable parks. It will triple the size of the current playground and will feature a rainwater runoff system and a wide variety of durable plants.
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January 31, 2020

16 places to celebrate Black History Month in NYC

By Devin Gannon

February marks Black History Month, a nationwide celebration of African American culture and history. New Yorkers will have plenty of opportunities to honor the contributions made by the black community, with live performances, guided tours, comedy shows, art installations, and more events happening across the city. From the Apollo Theater's open house celebration to spoken word performances at Brooklyn barbershops, pay tribute to the achievements of black Americans this February, as well as all year round.
The full list, ahead

Events & Things To Do

Restaurant with outdoor patio space proposed for Williamsburg’s McCarren Park

Proposed outdoor seating facing the park; Rendering by Inca Architecture, courtesy of NYC Parks

January 30, 2020

Restaurant with outdoor patio space proposed for Williamsburg’s McCarren Park

By Devin Gannon

A restaurant with outdoor seating could be coming to McCarren Park in Brooklyn next year. The city's Parks Department is working with the owners of the entertainment venue Brooklyn Night Bazaar, which closed its doors permanently last fall, to bring a new concession to the McCarren Park House, a structure built in the early 20th century and designed by McKim, Mead, and White. As Brooklyn Paper first reported, the restaurant, expected to open in spring 2021, would help finance a $1.2 million renovation of the crumbling comfort station's facilities.
See the proposal

Food & Dining

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