Harlem's Riverbank State Park To Get Big $26M Renovation, Hochul Says

HARLEM, NY — The millions of people who flock to Riverbank State Park each year will soon enjoy spruced-up facilities as the state embarks on a $26 million renovation, officials announced Friday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul detailed plans to upgrade the locker rooms, outdoor track and field, and performing arts center at the 30-year-old Harlem park, which is suffering from the effects of age and "heavy usage," and now needs "a comprehensive renovation," Hochul's office said.

Work will begin this month on the athletics center locker room, and will wrap up by spring. The aquatics locker room will start its own renovation this spring and be completed the following year — with both rooms' upgrades totaling $19 million.

The $5 million project resurfacing the outdoor track and replacing the turf field will start in February and end in June. Finally, new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for Riverbank's year-round performing arts center will be installed from February to June, costing $500,000.

"The Harlem community deserve access to green space, top notch sports facilities, and recreational opportunities and today we are delivering just that in the City's most-visited State Park, Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park," Hochul said in a statement.

"Through this $26 million investment, we will improve and modernize one of the state park system's most unique places and begin much-needed work to restore the park as a center for sports, recreation and environmental education."

Other improvements to Riverbank are also in the works: in November, the state asked Harlemites for input about possible upgrades to Riverbank's south end, which includes a playground, restrooms, a softball field, and basketball and handball courts.

In 2022, the state Parks Department installed a new $1.5 million lighting tower to illuminate the outdoor field during nighttime events, and also renovated a community garden to expand garden beds, improve drainage and add ADA accessibility.

Riverbank State Park first opened in 1993, atop a sewage treatment facility on the Hudson River off West 138th Street. With more than three million visitors each year, it is among the most-visited state parks across New York and the top-ranked within the city.

"These much-needed improvements will help keep West Harlem and the greater uptown community connected to a vital green space," Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said in a statement.

Related coverage: Harlemites Can Help Redesign Riverbank State Park: Take The Survey