Gravesend Park reopens after $7.25 million renovation

Greenfield, Adams secure funding for reconstruction

August 18, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Councilmember David Greenfield (second from right) cuts the ribbon with Community Board 12 District Manager Barry Spitzer, Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey and state Sen. Simcha Felder (left to right) to mark the reopening of Gravesend Park. Photos courtesy of Greenfield’s office

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Borough Park residents can once again enjoy Gravesend Park now that the city has completed a $7.25 million renovation of the popular recreation area.

Councilmember David Greenfield hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 16 to mark the official reopening of Gravesend Park, also known as 18th Avenue Park.

Despite the fact that the 6.3-acre park has Gravesend in its name, the recreation area is actually located in Borough Park, stretching from 55th Street to 58th Street, between 18th and 19th avenues.

The park’s front gate is located on 18th Avenue and 58th Street.

Greenfield (D-Borough Park-Midwood-Bensonhurst) secured the majority of the $7.25 million it took to fix up the park. The project included the construction of two new baseball fields, two new basketball courts and four new handball courts, four new and larger playgrounds with two additional swing sets and 50 new benches.

The Parks Department also installed improved lighting and planted trees and plants throughout the park.

For Greenfield, a lifelong Borough Park resident, the project was personal.

“I used to play in that park when I was growing up, and until I took it on, this area of the park had been sadly neglected for over 30 years,” Greenfield said in a statement. “Now that the renovations are complete, I believe the 18th Avenue Park is the most beautiful park in southern Brooklyn. I can’t wait to take my children to play there, and I invite everyone in our community to come out and enjoy our beautiful new park.”

A spokesperson for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the agency responsible for the renovation work, told the Brooklyn Eagle back in May when the project was underway that the renovation was funded by Greenfield, the Mayor’s Office and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

State Sen. Simcha Felder, Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey, Community Board 12 Chairman Yidel Perlstein, and Community Board 12 District Manager Barry Spitzer joined Greenfield at the ceremony.

“For the longest time, everyone in Borough Park has been looking forward to the 18th Avenue Park reopening,” said Felder (D-Borough Park-Midwood-Kensington). “Parks like this are a haven for children and the elderly. They are a melting pot for all New Yorkers.”

“On behalf of a grateful community, I would like to congratulate Councilman Greenfield on this major accomplishment. He has allocated millions of dollars for parks all over our district but this is his crown jewel achievement,” Spitzer said.