©David Lloyd/SWA
March 2, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez
The city is expected to complete Hunters Point South Park in coming months, with the 5.5 acre section of new space opening as soon as late spring.
Phase II of the Hunters Point South Park, stretching from below 54th Avenue and wrapping around the Newtown Creek, is nearing completion after three years of continuous construction, and is expected to open sometime in the late spring or early summer, according to the Economic Development Corporation.
The agency said it is working with NYC Parks on finalizing the opening day.
Phase II of the park will feature a much quieter and passive area than the existing parkland to the north, which has basketball courts, a children’s playground, and a bustling eatery, according to the park’s designers.
The roughly five acre portion of parkland set to open will feature wetlands, pedestrian paths, bike lanes, and a “promontory” lawn, a curving overlook set dozens of feet above the water. Other features include a linear park with playground equipment, fitness equipment for adults, a public art piece, and a kayak launch.
With the second portion opening, the entire parkland, stretching from 50th Avenue, will be roughly 11 acres.
Rendering of the overlook from a prior presentation.(EDC)
Thomas Balsley, of SWA/Balsley, one of the landscape architects behind the park, said in 2015 that people will be able to relax and enjoy nature in this portion of the park, which will act as an “urban escape” and permit for uninterrupted views of the Manhattan skyline.
“Hunter’s Point South Waterfront Park has extended its vision, literally and figuratively, and phase two continues to build on its promise: Celebrating the historical and cultural aspects of the area while also speaking to the future,” Balsley said in a statement to the LIC Post. “As designers, we are honored to be able to provide this community with improved access and amenities for its extraordinary waterfront landscape.”
The park was also designed by Weiss/Manfredi, known for projects like the Brooklyn Botanic Garden visitor center and Seattle’s Olympic Sculpture Park. Arup, the engineering and project management firm, were the prime consultants and infrastructure designers for the park.
Phase II of Hunters Point South Park under construction. ©David Lloyd/SWA
Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Long Island City) said the second phase of the park, costing around $100 million, is “stunning”.
“This is a project that we fought for, ” Van Bramer said. “It’s going to be an amazing park. A jewel in the crown of Queens parks.”
With Phase II of the parkland finishing, work on the residential towers set to be built through this portion of the development is expected to begin, as Mayor de Blasio announced in 2015.
Developers have already been chosen to build on two out of four plots along the waterfront below 54th Avenue, with the city also announcing plans for a 612-seat school on one of the lots. Developers have yet to be selected for the two remaining parcels in this portion.
The entire Hunters Point South development, when complete, will span 30 acres and hold up to 5,000 residential units.
An overview of Phase I and Phase II of the Hunters Point South project (EDC).
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8 Comments
To Anonymous: Likely spoken by someone who has never set foot in the Gantry Plaza State Park or the Hunter’s Point South Waterfront Park – arguably the best kept parks in the entire city. Alternatively, Anonymous could be a bitter past resident, now priced out from one of the best neighborhoods, in a pathetic attempt to justify his move back to his parents’ house in Jericho, NY.
Attacking a post because you don’t agree, or you don’t like what’s said, is immature and a sign of weakness. I’ve spent lots of time there and those problems are ligit (amongst others).
By summers end it will wreak of k9 waste, the far points will be occupied by the pot smokers, and litter will outpace the lethargic city employees that are tasked with the upkeep.
Dear anonymous curmudgeon,
You can certainly complain as you did, that’s your right as an American and certainly as a New Yorker, or you could use that negativity and channel it into something positive like changing what you don’t like by participating in the community in ways that will bring about the change you seek. Either way, your choice.
Dear anonymous speculator,
What makes you think I don’t actively participate in the community and that my comments, while slightly cynical, aren’t based on observation and experience? Your assumption is wrong but your correct in observing that all have a right to voice an opinion, kudos to you for that.
By end of summer I hope to be taking walks with my family, eating at the new Shake Shack and enjoying the new views from the new hill.
Wow. Seems like all new problems. No one was smoking pot there in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. And crime in the neighborhood was surely at an all time low. I bet the people who were dumping bodies in the river were certain to pick up the poop and not break 100 bottles on the ground along the way. Logistics and realism and maybe some concept of optimism might be helpful in your outlook. Curmudgeon who almost certainly stared at children playing games outside and yelled when their wiffleball haphazardly hit your window. It’s New York. Life isn’t perfect. Grow up.
What’s wrong with dogsh¡t and weed?