Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue recently opened the North Park section of Freshkills Park in Staten Island. It’s the first section of the site to be opened to the public, and once fully developed will be reimagined as the second-largest park in the five boroughs.
The area, once the largest landfill site in the world, served as the dumping ground for the city’s residential garbage since 1948 before closing in 2001. Construction on Freshkills Park first began in 2008.
Supported by over $2 million in funding, park amenities to be installed include a bird observation tower, a wetland overlook deck, a tree nursery for native species, a series of pedestrian and cycling pathways, a composting toilet, and a public parking lot.
Freshkills North Park implements the city’s Waterfront Revitalization Program, a plan that works to revitalize the city’s waterfront. The use of solar panels and a composting restroom also represents a major step to advance NYC Parks’ goal of promoting environmental responsibility.
“North Park within the Freshkills Park is a restoration of urban ecology while providing increased access to the waterfront and spectacular views of the creeks, wetlands, and wildlife for residents and visitors of Staten Island to enjoy for generations to come,” stated NYS Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez.
Mayor Adams added:
I vowed before taking office that…Staten Island would no longer be the forgotten borough – and with today’s opening of the first section of Freshkills Park, we continue to deliver on that promise by providing Staten Islanders with another place to exercise, breathe fresh air, and be outside. What was once an eyesore is now becoming a world-class park that will serve the residents of this borough for generations to come, and that will, once fully complete, become the second largest park within the five boroughs.
Considering various outdoor areas throughout NYC have been closing due to damage, such as parts of Central Park’s Great Lawn and the Prospect Park Zoo, we’ll definitely welcome new outdoor spaces!
The park is being built in phases and is scheduled to be completed in 2036.