Sen. Gounardes Announces Millions in New Funding for Greenway Investments on Bay Ridge Waterfront

View press photos and project renderings here.

New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes and City Council Member Justin Brannan joined Parks Department officials and community leaders to announce millions of dollars in new state and city funding to support efforts to revitalize waterfront parks in Bay Ridge.

The new funding commitment from Senator Gounardes and Council Member Brannan, which includes over $6.4 million for the construction of modern, accessible comfort stations at either end of the park, builds on ongoing efforts to invest in the Bay Ridge waterfront, including initiatives to reconstruct the Shore Road promenade, greenway and 4th Avenue entrance; upgrade Vinland Playground; repave John Paul Jones Park; build a new greenway in Leif Ericson Park; install new fencing; and revitalize walking paths in Owl’s Head Park.

This new funding, which advances the vision outlined in the Destination: Greenways program, brings recent public investment in these Bay Ridge green spaces to nearly $58 million.

Upgrades to Shore Road Park will expand the green space between bike and pedestrian paths, and add lighting at entrances to the promenade. Amenities like game tables, bike racks, drinking fountains, viewfinders, and seating will be installed, as well as accessible adult fitness areas and salt-spray-resistant trees. The Fourth Avenue entrance will receive ADA-compliant ramps, a new overlook, and a sloped lawn. In all, the amount of permeable green space will double compared to the current layout. The Parks Department estimates this work will cost approximately $21 million.

The project to restore Leif Ericson Park will focus on the park’s greenway, and involve repaving the greenway, improving crosswalks and installing new bike racks and benches. The section between Fourth Avenue and Narrows Avenue, known as “Keegan’s Path” will also be redesigned. This overhaul will cost about $9.25 million.

Other ongoing projects include the reconstruction of walking paths in Owl’s Head Park, upgrades to Vinland Playground; repaving in John Paul Jones Park; and new fencing along the length of Shore Road Park. 

"I ran for office in 2018 on the promise that our community deserves a world class waterfront just like every other neighborhood,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “The thousands of people across Brooklyn who use the promenade everyday deserve nothing less. I'm thrilled to be celebrating these investments and to announce the inclusion of over $6 Million in state funding to build a comfort station at the north end of the park. Today, we’re ensuring the Promenade and surrounding parks are built to meet all our communities' needs and to ensure it stays safe, vibrant and resilient for generations to come."

“Our local parks are the lungs of our city. Shore Road Park, the Greenway, and the Promenade are some of the brightest gems of our community, and for good reason,” said Council Member Justin Brannan. “In a city where waterfront recreation is scarce enough to be precious, Shore Road Park welcomes all to enjoy and benefit from green space, wildlife, and recreation along the Narrows. Growing up, Shore Road Park was my backyard, so I’m proud to partner with Senator Gounardes to help make our local waterfront park the best it can be for generations to come.”

"Brooklyn Greenway Initiatives's recently completed user study shows that greenways are a treasured local resource, and that the better they're built out and landscaped, the more people from the local community will use them,” said Hunter Armstrong, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative. “Already popular for its waterfront views, the planned open green space expansion on the Shore Parkway Greenway, ADA access at 4th Avenue, connection to Leif Ericson Park, and new restroom access will bring even more benefits to residents. This is a great plan put forward by NYC Parks, and we appreciate Senator Gounardes and Councilmember Brannan for supporting this community."

Press Contact:

Billy Richling

Communications Director

State Senator Andrew Gounardes

billy@senatorgounardes.nyc

###