NYC Parks & Rec Cut Ribbon on Robert Venable Park

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe today joined City Council Member Charles Barron, President of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Pat Lynch, members of Police Officer Robert Venable's family, Pastor Carol Hall and Reverend Doughty to cut the ribbon on over $6 million in new amenities at Robert Venable Park in Brooklyn, part of a total $8 million restoration currently underway. The reconstruction creates a new 3 ½ acre park, creating a lush oasis where asphalt and weeds once existed.

"It's not often we get to build a new park from scratch and create additional parkland as we have done here at Robert Venable Park," said Commissioner Benepe. "Robert Venable was a proud NYC Transit Police Officer who gave his life in the line of duty. As we remember his sacrifice, we are pleased to transform this land into a park named in his memory. We are grateful to Council Member Barron, Mayor Bloomberg and Borough President Markowitz for funding this significant $8 million project."

Parks has drastically transformed Robert Venable Park with new play equipment, a spray shower, and basketball, handball and volleyball courts. A skate board area, exercise area, picnic area and beautiful landscaping offer new recreational opportunities for park users. The completed work also includes bleachers, new pavements, fencing, security and recreational lighting, drainage and water supply.

This work was funded with $3.6 million from Council Member Barron, $2.1 million from Mayor Bloomberg, $360,000 from Borough President Markowitz, and $350,000 from the State of New York.

The landscape architect for this project was Katherine Bridges. The resident engineer was Ricardo Marc and the contractor was Atlas Roll-Off Corp.

The improvements also include a new comfort station that is currently in construction and will be completed later this year. It was funded with an additional $896,000 from Council Member Barron, $567,000 from Mayor Bloomberg and $200,000 from Borough President Markowitz.

This park honors Robert E. Venable, a New York City Transit Police Officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty by drug dealers on September 22, 1987 in East New York, Brooklyn.

Members of Officer Venable's family in attendance at the ribbon cutting included his parents, Cordelia and Enoch Fuller; his daughter, Januari Venable; his sister, Denise Benson; and his brother, Michael Venable.