Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro and Commissioner Benepe provide update on Island parks capital projects
$190 million in projects Boroughwide in various stages of completion
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe today held a press conference at Borough Hall to provide a status report on $190 million in capital parks projects on Staten Island.
“I would like to thank Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Benepe for working with me on these exciting Parks projects to keep Staten Island the greenest Borough in New York City,” said Molinaro.
The Borough President’s Office, the Mayor’s Office and the Island’s three City Councilmen are funding these projects, which in various stages of completion include:
IN CONSTRUCTION
* Corporal Thompson Track and Field, the $4.9 million reconstruction will include the installation of a new synthetic track surface and the multi-purpose synthetic turf field accommodating both football and soccer. Completion Date: 2010
* Clove Lakes Park Comfort Station, the $1.1 million new building adjacent to the senior park will provide a much-needed accessible restroom facility for park users and storage facility for the maintenance crew. Completion Date: 2010
* Owl Hollow Soccer Fields and Comfort Station, this $12 million project is sited within Fresh Kills Park and will include four soccer fields with synthetic turf surface. The comfort station will include public restrooms and office space for the regional district Maintenance and Operations. In addition, 104-car parking lot will accommodate the needs of park users. Completion Date: 2012
* Snug Harbor Botanical Garden
o Tuscan Garden and Lemon House, a $2.6 million project to construct a garden modeled after Villa Gamberaia outside of Florence, Italy, including landscaped gardens, formal water elements and topiary. The Lemon House will store a collection of citrus plants in pots during the cold season. Completion Date: 2010
o Site Clearing, $99,900 for site preparation for composting methods and garden demonstration. Completion Date: 2010
o Irrigation, $726,000 to construct an irrigation system in part of the Botanical Garden to enhance the appearance of gardens and increase park use. Completion Date: 2010
* Five New Playgrounds, $2.5 million for colorful and modern, sun-safe, handicapped-accessible “Tot Lots” to be located at:
o Silver Lake Park
o New Dorp Beach Park
o Greenbelt Recreation Center
o Rathbun Avenue and Drumgoole Road West
o Blue Heron Park
Completion Date: 2010
* John D’Amato Athletic Field, a $2 million facility in New Dorp Beach Park named after the late Island attorney and local sports legend will provide a synthetic turf field for year-round active recreation. Completion Date: 2011
* Bay Street Medians, a $1 million project to reconstruct seven traffic medians in the civic center of St. George. Three medians will have new steel-faced curbs and re-set existing granite block pavement to provide a refuge for pedestrians crossing the busy street. The central four medians will have decorative planters installed. Completion Date: 2010
* Midland Beach Promenade Entry Plaza, $4.6 million for Phase 1 of an overall conceptual plan for Midland Beach to provide a central gathering space from which to stage special events such as concerts and fairs. Completion Date: 2011
* Seaside Nature Park Playground, a $2.9 million waterfront playground in Great Kills will include active and passive areas that incorporate a shade structure, nautical-themed custom play equipment and swings. Completion Date: 2010
* Biddle House in Conference House Park, a $940,000 restoration of the landmarked building. Project in procurement. Estimated Completion Date: 2011
* McFarlane Bredt House, the landmarked former New York Yacht Club adjoining the Alice Austen House property, is undergoing a $500,000 restoration. Project in procurement. Estimated Completion Date: 2011
* Cromwell Center Roof and building stabilization, $3.5 million project for removal of existing roof cover material, installation of new material and stabilization of the substructure, including piles and pile caps. Project bid, pending additional funding.
PROJECTS IN DESIGN
* Indoor Track, the $70 million Ocean Breeze athletic facility will house a 200-meter indoor track with year-round recreational facilities above a 200-car parking lot on the ground level. Completion Date: 2012
* Midland Beach Children’s Park, Comfort Station and Victory Diner, are all part of a $6.5 million project to reconstruct the parkland adjacent to the promenade. A spray plaza, fountain, and a children’s garden would be featured. Public restrooms, a café and party room would accompany restoration of the Victory Diner, which has been relocated in proximity to this site. Completion Date: 2011
* Clove Lakes Park Greenway Path, a $2.9 million project to construct the in-park segment of a multi-use 1.6-mile greenway trail, which bisects a natural wooded area with steep grades. Completion Date: 2011
* Midland Beach Gazebos, a $750,000 project to construct two steel shade structures with accessible benches, electrical outlets, and accessible routes to the structures and the beach. The structures will be lit at night for security. Completion Date: 2011
* South Beach Tennis Courts, this $475,000 project will construct two tennis courts consisting of new asphalt and concrete pavements, new drainage, benches, fencing, drinking fountain, trash receptacles and bike racks. Completion Date: 2011
* Indoor Horse Riding Arena, this $2.2 million project is located in Ocean Breeze and will provide a year-round facility to be used for physical and occupational therapy. Completion Date: 2012
* Independence Park, a $1.2 million project to develop the perimeter of the abandoned cemetery at the gateway to Travis and provide a sitting area and gathering space. Weeds will be cleared and a railing will be built around the perimeter with stone piers and a decorative iron arch at the entrance. A flagpole and benches will be installed along with new accessible paths, pavements, and plantings. Completion Date: 2010
* Crescent Beach, this $1.5 million project will define the edge along Tennyson Drive in Great Kills by removing weeds, installing a railing, erecting a raised boardwalk through the newly constructed wet area, and installing a new flagpole with a sitting area. Completion date: 2012
* Fresh Kills Park
o Schmul Park Playground ($8.4 million), Providing new park facilities for all age groups. Existing playground will be reconstructed with new
play equipment. Two new basketball courts and two new handball courts will be constructed. A seating area in a tree grove will provide space for passive recreation. Completion Date: 2011
o Schmul Park Comfort Station ($1.5 million), New comfort station with men’s and women’s facilities, family room, storage and small office. Completion Date: 2011
o North Park ($25 million), This 20-acre project will provide new park facilities for all age groups. A 75-space parking lot will be created, and a path will connect the lot to a new bird tower and overlook at the water’s edge. A small comfort station, drinking fountains, benches, picnic lawn will be constructed, as well as a tree nursery and native plant seed area. Completion Date: 2012
o New Springville Greenway ($12 million) Will run along the eastern edge of the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge and continue along the eastern edge of Fresh Kills Park. The 3.5-mile paved path is intended for use by commuters and recreational bicyclists. Completion Date: 2012
o South Park ($17.5 million), This 21-acre project will develop portions on- and off-mound of South Park, and connect to Owl Hollow Fields, with bike paths, trails, and a small comfort station. Two natural turf ballfields, a tot playground, picnic area, and boardwalk will be constructed. Completion Date: 2014
o Arthur Kill Road Parking Lot ($1.3 million), a new 1.5-acre parking area. There will be 40 parking spaces with a bus turnaround, lighting, landscaping, and an entry gate. Completion Date: 2010
September 28, 2009