City opens $8.2 million park in East New York

December 19, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Hopscotch, referred to by some as “potsy,” has been a New York playground staple for at least 100 years. Photo by Malcolm Pinckney

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EAST NEW YORK — NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher recently joined City Councilmember Charles Barron to cut the ribbon on a brand new park in the Gateway Estates development in East New York.

Following an $8.2 million construction project, the new park has sports and fitness features for older children and adults, as well as community amenities such as a new skate park, seating and water fountains.

NYC Parks Dept. Borough Commissioner Martin Maher. Photo by Malcolm Pinckney

“This is an amazing greenspace that has something for everyone: a skate park, full and half-court basketball, a beautiful green multi-purpose field, adult fitness, passive seating and security lighting, all in a beautifully landscaped and tree-lined park,” said Borough Commissioner Maher. “This park will serve generations of people in the community, and I’m grateful to our partners across the administration for their commitment to this project, as well as to Councilmember Barron for his longstanding advocacy for East New York parks.”

“East New York residents deserve the best because they are the best residents, and at this new park, we got just that: the best park in the city,” said Barron. “We are eternally grateful to Borough Commissioner Martin Maher for continuing to see to it that we, East New York, and our particular district over the years have had over $100 million worth of park and recreation spaces. This park will serve as a much-needed recreation outlet for our children and our families and will bring unity to our community.”

The new basketball park at Gateway Estates. Photo by Malcolm Pinckney

“Affordable homes paired with active and passive open space is key to creating healthy places to live,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “All of us as kids developed physical, social, and intellectual skills by playing in the park. That’s where we learned to play sports, ride a bike, and also developed deep and lasting friendships with our neighbors. This investment at the Gateway Development creates that magical space where this will happen for a new generation of New York City kids.”

The new park, funded by the Mayor’s Office, hosts basketball courts, a multi-purpose synthetic turf field, an adult fitness area and a skate plaza, providing older children and adults with opportunities for active recreation. The new park is also equipped with security lighting, drinking fountains, seating, fencing and plantings.

A chess and checkers playing area for more sedentary folks. Photo by Malcolm Pinckney

To ensure all New Yorkers can access the park’s features, the Parks Department has constructed accessible routes from the park entrances to the activity spaces, seating areas and drinking fountains.