Hunters Point South Phase II, with the fence to the left dividing the existing portion of the park. (Photo: Nathaly Pesantez)
June 12, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez
Hunters Point South Park will double in size later this month, as the second phase of the park is set to open to the public.
The new portion, stretching from 54th Avenue and around Newtown Creek, will open to the public on June 21, the city confirmed.
The city’s Economic Development Corporation, however, will hold a ceremony celebrating the park’s opening on June 27. The park itself, however, will be open beginning on the 21st.
Phase II of the park, as known by the city, has been under construction for the past three years, and stands in stark contrast to the existing portion of the park between 50th and 54th Avenues.
The new 5.5 acre site includes lots of green space, wetlands, and a sloping overlook several feet above water for an “urban escape” feel, according to SWA/Balsley, the landscape architect behind the park.
The new park will also feature a linear park with playground equipment, fitness equipment for adults, a kayak launch, and a public art piece.
©David Lloyd/SWA
Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, who has toured Phase II several times during its construction, said the $105 million expansion is a “tremendous victory” for Hunters Point and Long Island City.
“We have a lot of challenges in Long Island City, but this park is part of what will make the community livable for the people who call it home,” he said.
Van Bramer describes the park as a “gigantic garden” and completely distinct from the existing portion of the waterfront park. At times, he says, the grassy mounds completely cover the buildings located on Center Boulevard, and has the feel of a forest.
Other portions of the park, like the fitness area for adults, feature state-of-the-art equipment like ellipticals that make the area resemble a private gym instead. The overlook, jutting out several feet beyond the park, could become a gathering place for concerts and other events, he added.
Phase II of the park’s opening aligns with construction work starting on additional residential towers as part of the Hunters Point South development. Developers have already been chosen to build four towers and two schools within two empty plots south of Borden Avenue, with developers yet to be selected for the remaining two parcels of empty land.
The entire Hunters Point South development, when complete, will span 30 acres and hold up to 5,000 residential units.
Update 6/20 – A prior version of this article listed that the opening ceremony would take place on June 21. The city, however, said today that the opening ceremony has been rescheduled for June 27.
©David Lloyd/SWA
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27 Comments
I’m here now and they’re not letting anyone in. People are being turned away as I type this.
So Jimmy Van Bramer has taken several tours of the new park? Watch out photo op. How about touring the slimy bed bug infested deplorable conditions hotels where his best bud and beloved boss Mayor DiBlasio has dumped poor families in our local hotels, in rooms without kitchens which were not meant to house families for long term occupancy. How about that JVB, tour the hotels, tour the facilities, tour the rooms where they live, clothing in black garbage bags, dinners at McDonalds. You are enriching your friends and the friends of the Mayor, the hotel owners, the not for profit operators, the developers who are the very same people who contribute to your campaigns anfd who you serve.
Agreed, these greedy NYC real estate developers like Trump disgust me.
Every day I sit across the river and stare at LIC’s new beacon, it’s centerpiece, it’s architectural gem, the new library. Besides that fact that it is way over budget and late, it is super ugly from Manhattan. It absolutely must be painted a dark grey to match the Gantry and some of the architecture. It is butt ugly.
The FAKE MRLIC wrote the June 13, 2018 post on Greedy developers.
in other news, the library is still defunct..but hell- the glass is imported!
Join me on july 4th on the roof top of my building as I rip gravity hits from the kiddie pool. Who’s in? I’m buying my pot from the valet guys from Blend on the Water.
better sign up fast, chances are your building will only give you a +2.
I’d be first on your list if i didn’t already have my kiddie pool set up at my unrestricted viewing location! 🙂
“We have a lot of challenges in Long Island City” and yes, he helped to create most of them by selling out the neighborhood to the highest bidder.
Agreed, I hate greedy NYC real estate developers. Unless they run for president, in which case I vote for them, because my principles mean nothing to me.
No bathrooms in park, more food stands for the Lic landing people to steal from us and trash up the place. I hear they are doing sushi in the park. What a joke. Jimmy had nothing to do with this park. I was a trash heap before I got here and talked to the city about extending the park. I have talked with the park employees and they aren’t getting paid anymore to take care of more park. They will be expected to work the same hours and keep up the maintenance of the park. Shame on you Bill Diblasio for taking advantage of the park employees. This is not what we are about.
Join me on the 4th of July as we take over the new park to establish it as an place only for the residents of the buildings close to the water. We have been locked out for far too long. This is going to be our park, we will keep the riff raff out with neighborhood patrols and enforcement. This is OUR PARK!
The second paragraph of this comment is a joke, right? This guy can’t be serious
Ray, you don’t know the half of the crap that comes from this guy’s mouth. Lol
“Our Park” you paid for your apt not the land around it. This is city money being poured into it and therefore is not a private park. All New Yorkers pay taxes that allowed this to become a reality. Delusion is not a reality and LIC is not gramercy park. if you are so powerful then go get it gated and give keys to all your neighbors lol
“join me on the 4th as we take over the new park to establish it as a place only for the residence of the buildings close to the water” James, you entitled Prick! You are in an apartment “by the water” because you won a lottery, are you forgetting? Lol, on Independence Day your lonely miserable ass along with your 4 cronies (equally miserable) are going to bypass the crowds of people celebrating the Macy’s show to sit in the park to complain about the park, Do you see how stupid you sound? Ladies & Gents, once again, this man and his clown posse WON their “apartments by the water” in the Hunters Point lottery & instead of being grateful for the good fortune of winning ALL the do is complain about EVERYTHING from paint left behind from a community children’s Easter egg party to the Macy’s Day Parade!! The parade is a HUGE money generator for LIC restaurants and a welcomed event for most residents especially if youre as lucky as James is to a have won a roof top view. This man needs a reality chec pronto!! Btw he’s also multifacete, when James takes a break from complaining about our wonderful community he spends the remainder of his time spreading rumors, he’s literally our resident town crier. If only he & his posse took the same time and energy to volunteer at the many volunteer opportunities we have here in Beautiful LIC ( never once has he attended, I guess those agents are for those who DONT live by the water).
Who the hell are you to call me intitled. I pay good money every month for my apartment. I haven’t won a lottery. They call these affordable apartments but i pay hundreds of dollars in rent a month and don’t even have a great view. I walk the park every night and take pictures and make sure things are taken care of. Who else does this. Who else is the watchdog. Knot you entitled center blvd dwellers down by the Pepsi sign that have your own private park there. You want to keep us poor and trapped here on the south side of center. This is class warefare at its finest. Take your upitty self loving fat asses and stuffed into your yoga pants and stay on your side of 50th.
James E., I honestly hesitate to comment, but I’m a shady individual that can’t help but take the bait. So here we go. If you truly believe that the park extension happened because of you…I really don’t know what to tell you other than that there are resources for you and others having delusional thoughts. Please be safe. As for being a watchdog, who asked for that? Nobody. You just need a hobby. Perhaps, meditation. Perhaps in the PUBLIC park you’re paying hundreds to live near. (BTW – anybody else paying just hundreds to live on Center?).
If you do choose to follow through on your 4th of July protest (?) please do share with the community the time and exact location. I’ve got my finest yoga pants on deck, and sushi at the ready for this display of straight up buffoonery.
James. I’m richer than you, and i pay more rent. this is now my park. i will eat foie gras and sip on the finest imported tap water while my other friends who are also richer than you talk about how poor you are. this is not a park for the poor james. stay out.
James is a troll. A narcissist, a psychopath, and a sadist. Just ignore.
Pretty sure all those comments are from the same, very bored, individual just writing silly comments back and forth for shts and giggles.
Then Move! If LIC is such a horror show and the affordable apartment that you WON in the Hunters Point South lottery is not to your liking because they gave you a “bad view,” MOVE OUT!! Everyone is so sick of you and it not even funny to watch you anymore, matter of fact we think this may very well be a mental issue in regards to you? No one asked you to be a Vigilante “Watchdog” There are so many places hiring as it is OBVIOUS that you need a life. A life of trolling is NO life James seek help beforehand it’s to late for your lonely miserable ass. Oh & Btw Black Star Bakery is hiring but I suggest you not go in for the interview with any of your spy gear.
I hope they have enough bathrooms and garbage cans. I also hope the pot smoking and drug us goes down. also I hope people obey signs with their dogs and where to walk them and clean up after them. Please have more park enforcement agents around.
James, how many aliases do you have on this forum lol you really are a troll! Maybe you should start smoking pot it might Calm your miserable ass down!
MRLIC is an impostor, but I don’t think he is in league with James E, who sounds unhinged.
So Jimmy Van Bramer has taken several tours of the new park? Watch out photo op. How about touring the slimy bed bug infested deplorable conditions hotels where his best bud and beloved boss Mayor DiBlasio has dumped poor families in our local hotels, in rooms without kitchens which were not meant to house families for long term occupancy. How about that JVB, tour the hotels, tour the facilities, tour the rooms where they live, clothing in black garbage bags, dinners at McDonalds. You are enriching your friends and the friends of the Mayor, the hotel owners, the not for profit operators, the developers who are the very same people who contribute to your campaigns anfd who you serve.
What about a Merry go round.
Take the ferry to Brooklyn Bridge Park. It’s $2.75 and you’ll be there in 25 minutes.