City Breaks Ground On $30M Highbridge Park Renovation Project

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS-INWOOD, NY — The city has begun work on a $30 million initiative to make improvements at Washington Heights' Highbridge Park, city Parks Department officials said. Officials and neighborhood parks advocates gathered in the park's Juan Bosch Plaza Thursday for a ground breaking ceremony.

The first phase of the Highbridge Park renovations features improvements to the uptown park's lighting and pathways, reinstate a 10-block stretch of the park, restore the park's Grand Staircase, create and AD-accessible plaza at West 184th Street and construct a welcome garden at the Dyckman Street and Harlem River Drive entrance.

The improvements are mainly funded by the Mayor's Office through the $30 million Anchor Parks initiative launched in 2016, city officials said. City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez allocated $600,000 and the Parks Department also received $500,000 through a state grant.

The renovation's second phase — the reconstruction of Adventure Playground on West 164th Street — is currently seeking bids. The playground renovation will feature a new spray shower, table games, a garden area and new bathrooms. New fitness equipment at Sunken Playground is also included in pahse two of the project.

Both phases are expected to be completed in 2020, parks officials said.

"I’m thrilled that Phase 1 of Highbridge Park in Northern Manhattan is breaking ground to invest in a highly utilized public space that will restore High Bridge and establish many new park facilities for residents to enjoy!" local City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez said in a statement on social media.

Highbridge Park was selected to receive funding via the Anchor Parks initiative, a program designed to "direct capital funding to historically underfunded larger parks that are greater than six acres," according to the parks department 2017 executive budget. The city is planning on allocating $150 million across five city parks, one in each borough. In addition to Highbridge Park, Saint Mary's Park in the South Bronx, Betsy Head Park in Brownsville, Astoria Park in Queens and Freshkills Park on Staten Island will each receive $30 million in funding.

Highbridge Park is most known for its namesake, the High Bridge. The High Bridge is the oldest standing bridge in New York City, according to the parks department. The park offers both nature-lovers and thrill-seekers plenty of space to enjoy themselves. Along with it's scenic views and walking trails, the park also features the city's first mountain biking course and a skate park. The park is also home to the Highbridge Recreation Center and Pool, one of the largest outdoor public pools in the city.

Photo by Brendan Krisel/Patch