Senator Lanza Joins NYC Parks To Announce $20 Million Development of Fairview Park

"Today is a great day. After nearly two decades of delay we broke ground on Fairview Park. I navigated the agreement to create this park and secured funding more than 15 years ago,” said Senator Lanza. “After many delays, this is finally coming to fruition and will become the newest addition to the fabulous and incredible parks system that we have on Staten Island. I thank Commissioner Silver and Borough Commissioner Ricciardone for bringing this across the finish line."

Previously undeveloped parcel of land will be transformed into Fairview Park

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined Staten Island Borough President James Oddo, New York State Senator Andrew Lanza , New York State Assembly Member Michael Reilly, City Council Member Joseph Borelli, Community Board 3 members and community members to break ground on the $20.3 million development of Fairview Park.

“Fairview Park has long been an underused and undeveloped parcel of parkland,” said Commissioner Silver. “Thanks to the substantial investment from local and federal partners, this greenspace will be transformed into a recreational oasis that will serve this community for generations to come.”

“As an elected official in 2019, a bulk of what you deal with is the residue of decisions made—and not made—two, three, even four decades ago. The decision made long ago to embrace and affirm the notion that Staten Island is the Borough of Parks is one farsighted decision we got right,” said Borough President Oddo. “Fairview Park is a huge investment in ourselves as Staten Islanders, and is a team win for all of us. I am proud of the role we at Borough Hall played in getting this long-discussed plan to the groundbreaking, and we will continue to work with our partners in government until it is open and ready to be used by Islanders of all ages.”

"Today is a great day. After nearly two decades of delay we broke ground on Fairview Park. I navigated the agreement to create this park and secured funding more than 15 years ago,” said Senator Lanza. “After many delays, this is finally coming to fruition and will become the newest addition to the fabulous and incredible parks system that we have on Staten Island. I thank Commissioner Silver and Borough Commissioner Ricciardone for bringing this across the finish line."

“It is good to see that this project is finally moving into its next phase,” said Assembly Member Reilly. “To think, nearly a decade ago this site was at risk of being lost to commercial development – now we are one step closer to seeing it protected forever to be enjoyed by all.”

“Fairview Park will be a wonderful addition to our borough of parks and especially the south shore, from the adjacent library to the courts and fields at Fairview, this location is going to be a hub of activities and recreation options for every member of the family, said Council Member Borelli. There’s a significant demand for fields and active recreation on the south shore and this is a tremendous step toward unlocking the potential of the tremendous acreage of park land in our community,”

The new development is funded with $20.3 million from the Mayor’s Office, the Staten Island Borough President’s office, NYC Economic Development Corporation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the City Council. Construction of the site is anticipated to be complete by summer 2020.

This project will transform a 23.5 acre parcel of previously undeveloped land into a brand new sprawling green space that will accommodate active and passive recreation. Park features will include a multi-purpose field, a baseball field, pickleball, tennis, and bocce courts, an adult fitness area, a picnic area, an ADA-compliant multi-use trail, parking facilities and more.

Among the new amenities, the multi-purpose synthetic turf field will replace the existing multi-purpose field at New Dorp Park which was damaged beyond repair by Super Storm Sandy. The new and improved John D’Amato Field will have bleachers, a misting post, goal posts and an advanced drainage system.

The overall plan for this site includes a comfort station that is expected to begin construction this summer.