New and improved Gravesend Park coming this fall

New playgrounds, new baseball fields, and new basketball and handball courts await residents and parkgoers this fall as a multi-million dollar renovation hits Gravesend Park.

Currently underway, the work at the park – which sits on 18^th and 19^th Avenues between 55^th and 58^th Streets – was originally slated for completion in December of 2016. One local councilmember, however, fought for a faster timeline for the overlooked park.

“I used to play in this park when I was a kid, and unfortunately parts of it haven’t seen any significant renovations since then,” said Councilmember David Greenfield. “When I got elected, fixing the 18th Avenue park was my first priority. After so many years of hard work, I’m thrilled that we are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. This is going to be the nicest park in southern Brooklyn.”

According to the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the last time the park saw any major renovations was in 2001 when $550,000 was spent capitally to demolish a tennis court and construct a roller hockey rink.

Now, the $7.25 million renovations underway will go toward four brand new playgrounds, two new baseball fields, and brand new basketball and handball courts. Additional swing sets will also be constructed, and, the renovated park will feature additional paths, landscaping and seating areas.

“Parks are not a luxury, they are a necessity,” Greenfield added. “That’s why I fought so hard to bring this funding back to our community.”

Other parks in the councilmember’s district – which spans Midwood, Borough Park and Bensonhurst — being renovated include Seth Low Park, Kolbert Park, DiGilio Playground and Friends Field. In addition, the total $35 million allocation secured by Greenfield for parks also includes a brand new park to be constructed at the P.S. 192 schoolyard.