Senator Gianaris Joins City To Open Sprawling, 5.5-Acre Waterfront Park in Hunter's Point South in Long Island City

Long Island City, NY -- NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver FAICP, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, State Senator Michael Gianaris, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, and community members today celebrated the official grand opening of the second phase of Hunter's Point South's newly constructed 5.5-acre waterfront park expansion, and 3,400 linear feet of new roadways and vital infrastructure to support a growing community. The second phase of the park begins south of 54th Avenue and wraps around Newtown Creek to complete phase one of the park, resulting in a total of 11 acres of waterfront open space.
 
The development of seven waterfront parcels in Hunter's Point South is a multi-agency approach to neighborhood planning intended to revitalize a long-underused area of Long Island City and create the largest affordable housing development in New York City since the 1970s. Mayor de Blasio's Housing New York plan, committed $99 million for the second phase of Hunter's Point South's infrastructure and waterfront park to support four new mixed-use housing parcels developed by the City's Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Once complete, 5,000 units of residential housing, 60% of which will be permanently affordable to low, moderate and middle-income families, will come online.
 
“Every New Yorker has the right to access world-class parks and public spaces. With new parks like Hunters Point South, Bush Terminal, and Bushwick Inlet Park we’re making sure that as our neighborhoods grow, our public spaces grow along with them,” said Mayor de Blasio.

“Open space and recreational activity improve our physical and mental health, and strengthens neighborhoods and communities,” said NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett. “We’re proud to deliver a 5.5-acre, world-class waterfront park and vital infrastructure for the Long Island City community. I have no doubt that this park will become integral to the area’s recreational fabric. I want to thank the agency partners, elected officials, and community stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to make this project a reality.”

“Hunters Point South Park has come a long way from its days as an industrial shipping hub and is now a major destination for New Yorkers and tourists alike,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “Thanks to NYCEDC, the park is complete and ready for a busy summer. In addition to kayaking and the wonderful LIC Landing, park-goers can now also enjoy improved walkways, adult fitness equipment, picnic terraces, and of course, those breathtaking views.”

The second phase of the Waterfront Park has created an 11-acre urban oasis of green resilient recreation space that will serve the residents and growing families of Hunter’s Point South and the surrounding community,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “The Western Queens waterfront is a vital resource that is more accessible than ever."
 
"This new $100 million park and infrastructure project is a jewel in Parks system throughout the City," said New York City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. "The expansion of the Hunters Point South Park, with its secluded spaces and jutting esplanade offers New Yorkers and Queens residents breathtaking views of the Manhattan Skyline and an unparalleled experience along the East River waterfront. The community kayak launch will offer kayakers the opportunity to directly interact with our water both in the East River and the Newtown Creek. This park brings green space to our community in a way that should be an example to all the other developments in the area. I'm proud of helping to bring this amenity to my constituents and thrilled to cut the ribbon today."

"The Hunters Point South Park project is a welcome addition to Long Island City," said Council Member Vallone, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development. "The numerous benefits and resources this expansion will provide to the residents of Long Island City are great and I applaud this and any project that seeks to improve communities in NYC."
 
"The western Queens waterfront is a remarkable asset that should not be wasted. I am pleased to see this park expansion become a reality," said Senator Michael Gianaris.

Hunter's Point South's infrastructure improvements included 3,400 linear feet of new roadways, storm sewers, sanitary sewers, water main and utilities that will ultimately support four new housing developments in the Phase II area. The 5.5-acre waterfront park expansion includes pedestrian and bicycle pathways, adult fitness equipment, a playground, picnic terraces, a collection of wooden seating areas, nearly 1.5-acres of newly established wetlands and a 30-foot-high cantilevered platform offering unparalleled views of the Manhattan skyline and East River. NYC Parks and Recreation will operate and maintain the new waterfront park and the new roadways will be maintained by NYC Department of Transportation.
 
The park also includes a kayak launch to support non-motorized boating activities and educational programs for local students and residents. New York-based artist Nobuho Nagasawa created Luminescence, an art installation in the park that presents the phases of the moon through 6-foot concrete discs that glow at night. The permanent sculptures are etched to reflect the moon's craters, mountains, and valleys.
 
The design and construction of the Phase II Infrastructure and Waterfront Park was managed by NYCEDC with ARUP serving as the primary consultant, and SWA/BALSLEY and WEISS/MANFREDI as the Waterfront Park designers. The LiRo Group managed the construction, with Galvin Bros. serving as the lead contractor and JRCRUZ Corp. as the infrastructure contractor.
 
The first phase of Hunter's Point South Waterfront Park, infrastructure and roadways opened in August 2013 and encompassed the transformation of 15-acres of post-industrial waterfront. The park includes a central green, a playground, a waterside promenade and additional recreation space, as well as a 13,000-square-foot pavilion housing comfort stations, concessions, an elevated café plaza, and a maintenance facility for NYC Parks.