18th Avenue Park renovations completed with new restroom area

Renovations on a beloved park located on the border of Bensonhurst and Boro Park were officially completed on Monday, July 3, as Councilmember David Greenfield announced the conclusion of $7.5 million in improvements.

Gravesend Park (located on 18th Avenue between 55th and 58th Streets), better known as 18th Avenue Park, now features a brand-new restroom area, capping off a multitude of improvements that have been in the works since ground was broken in May, 2015.

“I spent years playing at this park when I was a kid. Unfortunately, I spent much of my time waiting for the play equipment to be available because the park was so poorly designed,” Greenfield said. “Now it’s one of the most amazing parks in New York City, and it’s been completely renovated right in time for summer.”

Prior to renovations, the park attracted crime, drug activity and homelessness. As this paper reported last year, several new playgrounds constructed at the park were opened to the public following a ribbon-cutting ceremony in August 2016.

Also included in the renovations is new landscaping, hundreds of new trees, improved lighting and 50 new benches. New handball courts, basketball courts, baseball fields and play equipment were also constructed.