Riverbank State Park Dedicated To Retiring State Assemblyman Herman Farrell

HARLEM, NY — Most people get a party, a cake or — if they're lucky — a gold watch when they retire. Longtime uptown State Assemblyman Herman Farrell got a park.

As of Tuesday, Sept. 5., Riverbank State Park — located on the Hudson river between West 135th and 145th streets in West Harlem — is now known as Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. A new $25 million pedestrian bridge over the Henry Hudson Parkway will also be named in Farrell's honor.

The park and bridge were dedicated to Farrell on Tuesday, the same day the 85-year-old politician retired from the state assembly. Farrell had previously announced that he would not seek reelection for New York's 71st State Assembly District — which spans parts of Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood — when his term ends in 2018.

The dedication ceremony was attended by a number of the city and state's most influential politicians, who turned out to pay homage to the retiring power player.

(For more news about your NYC neighborhood, subscribe to Patch to get a daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.)

"Denny's model of government service is exemplary and he has never stopped fighting for what he believes in, while always willing to work across the aisle to get the job done," Cuomo said in a statement. "An instrumental pioneer in establishing this park 24 years ago, there is no better tribute to his service than renaming the Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, and the pedestrian bridge over the Henry Hudson Parkway, in his honor.

Farrell, 85, is deciding to retire before 2018 due to his advanced age and the demands of chairing the ways and means committee, he told the Daily News. Al Taylor, who currently serves as an elected Democratic District Leader and Farrell's chief of staff, has already announced his candidacy for the soon-vacant assembly seat.

"It has been a privilege to work alongside men and women who fight every day to improve the lives of New Yorkers, not only in Northern Manhattan, but across the entire state," Farrell said in a statement.

"I am deeply honored by Governor Cuomo and Legislature's dedication of Riverbank State Park, and have high hopes that the next generation of leaders will continue to uphold the values that New York was founded upon by continuing to do good for all people in every community of this state."

Photo courtesy Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office