Local pols break ground on Gravesend Park renovations

It was a groundbreaking day at Gravesend Park on Thursday, May 14 as local pols announced the second phase of renovations taking place at the grounds on 18^th Avenue and 56^th Street – a makeover that has been granted $5.45 million in funding for improvements.

“Today is a very exciting day,” said Councilmember David Greenfield. “This is an area that hasn’t been touched in over 30 years and if you’re familiar with the park, we get a lot of complaints. Despite the fact that Borough Park has more children than any other neighborhood in New York City, we actually have the least amount of parks.”

Greenfield, who allocated $2.65 million in funds for the project, said that currently, when local residents come to the park on a Saturday, they cannot find space for their children to climb or to go down a slide.

According to the Parks Department, with an additional $1.8 million in funds from Mayor Bill de Blasio along with a $1 million allocation form Borough President Eric Adams, the total $5.45 million will go toward doubling the size of the playground – adding swings and new play equipment, completely reconstructing and re-aligning the baseball fields, creating new basketball and handball courts, a renovated seating area, and new benches and lighting.

The renovations will take approximately 18 months to complete.

“What we’re doing here today is something really incredible,” added Greenfield. “We’re investing over $5 million and are literally reconfiguring this park. By the time we’re done, it’ll be the best playground park for children in Brooklyn. I firmly believe that.”

“On behalf of Borough President Eric Adams I am really happy to be here to support and to show his support for the renovation of this park,” added Sandra Chapman, chief program officer at the office of the Brooklyn Borough President. “It’s so needed and [there are] so many kids in the community. For all of our residents that come, from our seniors to our young ones and everyone in between, it’s a great hangout place, it’s a place where you know that they’ll be safe.”