Phase 2 of Hunters Point South Park to begin late summer

April 24, 2015 By Christian Murray

The construction of the second and final phase of Hunters Point South Park is expected to begin late summer.

The expansion of the park, which is expected to take at least three years to complete, will result in the entire park going from 50^th Avenue all the way over to the Newtown Creek.

The expansion will begin with workers clearing out the existing space between 54^th Avenue and Newtown Creek.

The park—as with the residential component of Hunters Point South—has been split into two phases. The first phase incorporates all construction from 50^th to 54^th Avenues—with the second phase from 54^th Avenue to the Newtown creek.

Thomas Balsley, a co-designer of the park, told a group of Community Board 2 members Wednesday that the second phase of the park will be very different from the first. The first was designed for active use, he said, with playgrounds, basketball courts, a dog run, the oval and a concession stand. The active use was also designed with the knowledge that the school would be located across the street.

The second phase will be a much quieter and passive area, Balsley said, where people can take a stroll, relax and enjoy nature. The design, which focuses heavily on the environment, incorporates the tidal marshes– where children will be able to visit to learn how tides work and the role of marshes.

There will be a special pathway that goes around the peninsula (see design) that overlooks the East River. This area will be an “urban escape,” Balsley said, where a person has views of the East River and the skyline with very little distraction.

Meanwhile, the promontory (see design) will feature an “overlook” that is 30 to 35 feet above the water—which takes advantage of the land fill, Balsley said. The area is 40 feet wide, looks over the city, and is ideal for parties and weddings.

Further along, there will be a shaded area that can be used for picnics.

The greater park is part of the 30-acre Hunters Point South development, which is comprised of seven residential buildings with a total of 5,000 units (60% permanently affordable).
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We apologize for the poor picture quality. These photos were taken during a PowerPoint presentation.