Golden allocates $1.6M in capital funds to Shore Road Park

State Senator Marty Golden has secured $1.6 million in capital funding to benefit the Shore Road Parks Conservancy. The announcement was made at a town hall hosted by the senator at Bay Ridge Prep on October 24.

“If you were to take a look at Shore Road overall, there is limited access to areas where you can actually view it,” Golden explained. “There is a canopy that covers the entire length of many blocks and denies opportunities for people to use their park and have a view outside of their homes.”

Golden said that the funding will help the community keep up with the 75 acres of parkland along Shore Road. Although residents, the Parks Department, the Narrows Botanical Gardens and Shore Road Parks Conservancy help with the upkeep, “more needs to be done,” contended Golden.

“The funding…will get the conservancy off the ground and help us start to take responsibility for parks,” Golden said. “The Parks Department does a great job but doesn’t have a way to care for all of our parkland.”

Plans include renovating the 79^th Street ballfields and bathrooms, pruning trees, and clearing and digging to create new landscaped areas.

Linda Allegretti, secretary for the conservancy, said that she was “thrilled” by the news. “Golden has always been a wonderful supporter. He has always been there for us and the community,” she said. “The $1.6 million is spectacular and will make a difference for all those who love Shore Road so much.”

June Marcus, president of the Conservancy, agreed. Working with the New York City Parks Department, we are now able to begin opening the views along Shore Road and take advantage of this beautiful waterfront vista, she said. We hope the work accomplished through Senator Golden’s funds inspires other local residents and friends to join us in reclaiming and maintaining our Bay Ridge parks.

Golden praised the conservancy board for all of their hard work. “This is the beginning and we will hope to get more money in,” he said. “We need their dollars, but also volunteers that we need to maintain and plan for the future. What does the community want?”

For more information on the Shore Road Conservancy, visit www.shoreroadparks.org or call 646-355-3709.