Photo Flash: NYC Parks Breaks Ground on City Island's New Street End Plaza at Belden Point

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP today joined Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene, NYC Department of Transportation Bronx Borough Commissioner Constance Moran, State Senator Jeffrey Klein, Assembly Member Michael Benedetto, Community Board 10 Chair Virginia Gallagher, City Island Civic Association Corresponding Secretary John Doyle and members of The City Island American Legion Leonard H. Hawkins Post 156 to break ground on a new street end plaza at City Island's Belden Point. Scroll down for photos!

"This public plaza will add a beautiful new greenstreet to the Bronx, complete with shade trees and flowering shrubs where visitors and residents can enjoy views of the Long Island Sound," said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. "These small habitats not only make each neighborhood more beautiful, but also more resilient, aiding in stormwater capture and providing a home to countless insects, butterflies, and passing birds."

"The pocket park at Belden Point is a long-awaited victory for the City Island community," said Senator Jeff Klein. "I''m proud to have preserved $170,000 in state funding to get this project off the ground and I applaud the City Island Civic Association and the surrounding City Island community for ensuring that this project finally gets underway. I look forward to seeing the park completed, which will increase access to the waterfront and transform the southernmost tip of City Island into a valued destination for families, residents and visitors alike."

"The construction of Belden Point Park will transform the southern end of City Island," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "With a seaside promenade design that includes decorative pavement, benches and landscaped areas, this will undoubtedly be a tremendous attraction for tourists and locals alike."

This beautification project will create a street end plaza along the southern end of City Island Avenue. The design consists of a decorative pavement and landscaped area which will include street trees and flowering shrubs, planting beds, benches, a new bicycle rack and new railings along the waterfront. The plaza will also serve to define a vehicular turn-around.

Funding for this $420,000 project has been generously allocated by the Borough President's Office, State Senator Jeffrey Klein and the Mayor''s Office. The project is expected to be completed in Spring 2016.

Photo Credit: Malcolm Pinckney/NYC Parks