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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2002
PR 321-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, COMMISSIONER ADRIAN BENEPE AND STATEN ISLAND BOROUGH PRESIDENT JAMES MOLINARO ANNOUNCE NEW PARKS PLAN FOR SOUTH SHORE

$17 Million Capital Project to Enhance Staten Island Parkland

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, and Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro today at Staten Island Borough Hall announced a new plan for parks and recreational areas at Bloomingdale and Charleston Parks on Staten Island's South Shore. As part of the $17 million plan, the City will construct five new ballfields, three athletic fields, six basketball courts, four tennis courts, and a playground as well as trail systems through two natural areas. In total, approximately 22 acres of parkland will be developed for active recreation and an additional 32 acres of natural area will be made accessible through improved trails. The new plan meets the rising demand on the South Shore, one of New York City's fastest growing communities, to provide additional active and passive park areas for youths and seniors.

"The plan set forth today provides much needed recreational facilities for the people of Staten Island while preserving the parkland in the City's greenest borough," Mayor Bloomberg said. "The South Shore is one of the City's fastest growing communities and these facilities will be spread throughout the area so that residents will not have to travel long and far to enjoy the City's many recreational resources. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the new facilities and thank Borough President Molinaro for his efforts in making this important project happen. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of former Borough President Guy Molinari, who was a great advocate for the development of parks in the South Shore."

"The Department of Parks & Recreation is both the principal provider of recreational facilities and programs for all New Yorkers and the principal steward of its natural areas," Commissioner Benepe said. "This plan strikes a balance between those two priorities. Residents of the South Shore will be able to have new places to play sports and improved access to two of its remaining beautiful forests."

"We are very thankful to Mayor Bloomberg for providing these badly needed recreational facilities for our children, especially during these difficult fiscal times," Borough President Molinaro said. "Mayor Bloomberg is to be commended for following through in his commitment to build these ballfields and other active recreation resources for the children of the South Shore, the fastest growing community in the City."

In 1999, the City announced a development plan focusing solely on Bloomingdale Park. This plan included four ballfields, two soccer fields, two basketball courts, two tennis courts, two comfort stations, a playground, and trails. The new comprehensive plan modifies the previous proposal to provide more facilities for the South Shore region, while preserving 20 acres of woodland at Bloomingdale Park.

At Bloomingdale Park, the City will build two ballfields, one athletic field, two basketball courts, a playground, comfort station and new trails. The designs take into account environmental concerns raised by some Staten Island residents. At the new Charleston Park, the City will build three ballfields, four tennis courts, two athletic fields, four basketball courts, a comfort station, and trails in the new 42-acre Charleston Park, near the site of the new Bricktown development complex.

The Department of Parks & Recreation is New York City's principal provider of recreational programs and facilities for people of all ages and maintains more than 7,285 acres of parkland on Staten Island, including 32 ballfields, 50 playgrounds, and scores of basketball and tennis courts.

 

www.nyc.gov

Contact:

Edward Skyler / Jennifer Falk
(212) 788-2958

  Megan Sheekey (Parks)
(212) 360-1311