Photo Flash: NYC Parks Cuts Ribbon on New Bush Terminal Piers Park

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined Congress Members Nydia Velázquez and Jerrold Nadler, Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna, City Council Member Carlos Menchaca, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, Executive Vice President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation Seth Myers, New York State Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales, UPROSE Executive Director Elizabeth Yeampierre, and the Sunset Park community to cut the ribbon on Bush Terminal Piers Park, at 43rd Street and 1st Avenue in Brooklyn. Scroll down for photos!

This project, which provides needed open space and access to the waterfront in Sunset Park was conceived following extensive outreach and coordination with the Sunset Park community. The design and construction of the park was managed by NYCEDC in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of State, New York State Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and NYC Parks. $38 million in Federal, State, and City funds were allocated for remediation, design, engineering and construction to convert four abandoned filled-in piers into a beautiful waterfront greenspace.

"Bush Terminal Piers Park will undoubtedly become a thriving community cornerstone for the Sunset Park neighborhood," said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver. "I am thrilled that Parks had the opportunity to work with the NYCEDC and the state to complete this beautiful waterfront space, and I thank all of the community stakeholders who helped make Bush Terminal Piers Park a reality."

"After tireless community advocacy, I am proud to celebrate the opening of Bush Terminal Piers Park," said City Council Member Carlos Menchaca. "Together with a number of city and state agency partners, and with the vision of local stakeholders, our community was able to gain access to our waterfront. Parks all across our city represent the places where residents meet to learn, to play, and to be with loved ones and now, here in Sunset Park, our community will have at their disposal, an open space that represents thoughtful planning."

"Bush Terminal Piers Park delivers much-needed open space to Sunset Park residents, and reconnects the community to the waterfront in a meaningful way," said NYCEDC Executive Vice President and Director of Project Implementation Seth Myers. "The transformation of a barren brownfield into a beautiful open space represents a dedicated effort by partners from the State, City and community, and we look forward to seeing the park used and enjoyed by all."

"Bush Terminal Park serves as a reminder that neighborhood revitalization anchored in strong community planning can bring about tremendous change," said New York Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales. "We are happy to have played such a vital role in making this Park a reality. This partnership between the City and State, including the largest grant ever awarded by the State for the remediation of a brownfield site, has resulted in a dynamic waterfront park that will provide much needed open space to this vibrant community. It is a catalyst for industrial redevelopment along the water in Sunset Park."

"The opening of Bush Terminal Piers Park is a long awaited step in making Sunset Park''s waterfront accessible to Brooklyn''s working families," said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY). "I was proud to see federal resources dedicated to this project, which will provide needed open space and recreational opportunities for Sunset Park residents."

The park features a bicycle path and esplanade, two synthetic turf multi-sport fields for year round use, two saltwater tidal ponds, natural habitat areas, walkways, benches, and landscaped area with magnificent views of the skyline and New York Harbor. The brand new comfort station and maintenance building made from shipping containers references the area''s industrial heritage. The landscaping and bioswales capture storm water to foster lush plant life and the restored wetlands help purify the surrounding aquatic habitat.

This park''s opening marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bush Terminal, the massive shipping and manufacturing center that rose up here at the turn of the 20th century. A vision of Irving T. Bush (1869-1948), at its peak the terminal employed tens of thousands of workers and proved especially critical moving supplies to Europe during the World Wars. Today, the property continues to serve a key role for city''s infrastructure while at its core a new park flourishes.

Photo Credit: NYC Parks/Malcolm Pinckney