FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PR- 248-04 September 21, 2004 MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND STATEN ISLAND BOROUGH PRESIDENT JAMES P. MOLINARO CUT RIBBON AT NEW BLOOMINGDALE PARK they Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Borough President James P. Molinaro today celebrated the completion of Bloomingdale Park on Staten Island. The $20.2 million project, funded by the Mayor's capital budget, the Borough President and the City Council, will provide much needed active recreation space for the residents of Staten Island's South Shore. Fifteen acres of the 138-acre park now includes new ballfields, basketball courts, a playground and bocce court, as well as a network of landscaped pathways and improved vehicular access. The Mayor and Borough President were joined by Council Member Andrew J. Lanza, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, and Design & Construction Commissioner David J. Burney, AIA. "When we broke ground here two years ago there was little active recreation space on the South Shore of Staten Island," said Mayor Bloomberg. "With the completion of Bloomingdale Park we are changing that. Bloomingdale Park is the largest new park construction begun and completed during our administration, and will serve as a popular athletic and recreation area for Staten Islanders. The highly anticipated ballfields and playground will serve the growing population of the South Shore for years to come. We are committed to growing and improving our parkland and making our neighborhoods more livable throughout all five boroughs." "On behalf of the Staten Island community, I want to express my thanks to Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his leadership in bringing our dreams for Bloomingdale Park into reality," said Borough President Molinaro. "This magnificent park represents the perfect marriage between preserving passive natural areas and providing active recreation areas for local residents to enjoy." "Bloomingdale Park continues the great Renaissance of Staten Island's parkland," said Commissioner Benepe. "These 15-acres of active and passive recreation offer something for everyone. Athletes can enjoy the three fields and two basketball courts, while children can get wet in the spray shower. Residents of all ages will enjoy the network of pathways that run throughout the park." "Bloomingdale Park is a wonderful amenity full of natural beauty," said Commissioner Burney. "DDC is proud to have managed this joint project on behalf of the Mayor, Borough President, Parks & Recreation, DEP and DOT. As a result of this project, Staten Islanders can now also enjoy the new sports facilities that have been added, and extend their enjoyment of the park through the new pathways that offers greater pedestrian access into the heart of the park. New rainwater management systems pioneered by DEP improve water quality and enhance the natural beauty of the park. Staten Island now has a park that is a unique example of the very best in urban parkland." On February 7, 2003 the Mayor and Borough President broke ground on the construction of Bloomingdale Park. The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) managed the project. The new park design includes three fields for softball, baseball and soccer that will be open to all permitted teams, a new playground with a spray shower and swings and two basketball courts, a bocce ball court and a comfort station. The developed 15 acres is also landscaped with interior nature trails weaving through the existing wooded areas. An exterior bicycle path also surrounds the park. The $20.2 million project includes $9.1 million in work by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department Environmental Protection (DEP) for public access and sewers at Bloomingdale Park. DOT's roadway construction totals $2 million and DEP's construction and installation of water mains, storm and sanitary sewers and drainage systems totals $7.1 million. A new road was extended approximately 450 feet from Ramona Avenue into Maguire Avenue featuring a cul-de-sac/turnaround feature. Ramona Avenue was reconstructed with curbs, storm sewers, a new concrete base, and resurfacing from Maguire to Lenevar Avenues. Curbs were installed on Lenevar Avenue from Ramona Avenue to Drumgoole Road West. Bloomingdale Park is the first of two major active recreation facilities created during this administration to serve the residents of South Shore of Staten Island. The 42-acre Fairview Park in Charleston, which is scheduled to open in late 2005, will include 15-acres of active and passive recreation land including soccerfields, ballfields and walking paths. MEDIA CONTACT: Edward Skyler /Robert Lawson (212) 788-2958 Megan Sheekey (Parks) (212) 360-1311 Matthew Monahan (DDC) (718) 391-1641 |
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