Chelsea Waterside Park Kicks Off Renovations: See It

CHELSEA, NY — Leaders broke ground Monday on a new comfort station being constructed at Chelsea Waterside Park — the first leg in a major $13 million project that promises to add amenities to the popular West Side green space.

First opened in 2000, the small, triangular-shaped park hugs the West Side Highway between West 23rd and 24th streets. Once complete next winter, the renovations will add long-awaited public restrooms, a permanent picnic area, an expanded and refurbished synthetic turf field, an expanded dog run and a small concession stand.

It represents a significant makeover for the five-acre park, which was built as part of a state highway reconstruction project. That opening came only after years of advocacy by neighbors for more recreational space.

The first phase of the recent renovations was completed in 2018, upgrading the park's playground — including the addition of a 64-foot wooden slide shaped like a pipefish: a species native to the Hudson River.

The new comfort station has a sustainable design, including rooftop solar panels, efficient water fixtures and materials salvaged from the original park, like granite formerly used as seating, which will serve as the restrooms' exterior finish.

The future dog run, meanwhile, will include separate areas for small and large dogs. Overall, the project will add green space to the park while reducing the amount of paved areas, according to the Hudson River Park Trust.

Some park areas will close temporarily at various points during the renovation, including the dog run and ballfield.

"The expansion of Chelsea Waterside Park is an exciting milestone to celebrate," City Council Speaker Corey Johnson said in a statement Monday. "This next phase of work will create a more sustainable park and provide a long-sought-after comfort station by the community."

Funding for the upcoming park renovations included $5.2 million from Johnson's office and $225,000 from Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer — though most came from the Park Trust's selling some air rights.