City to Invest $30 Million for Highbridge Park Improvements

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Highbridge Park will be one of five parks across New York City to receive $30 million in city funding for improvements, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday.

The funding is part of the city's new Anchor Parks initiative, a program designed to "direct capital funding to historically underfund 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.

"New Yorkers deserve to have the greatest parks in the world steps from their homes. That's why our administration is focused on park equity, which brings fair access to and development of parks across the city. The Anchor Parks program, joined with the Community Parks Initiative and Parks Without Borders, marks another major step in advancing park equity for all New Yorkers," said de Blasio in a press release.

More than 750,000 New Yorkers live within walking distance of the five parks receiving funding from the Anchor Parks initiative, according to the city. The money awarded to improving each park will pay for improvements such as new hiking trails, restrooms and sports facilities.

The mayor's office took to Twitter to celebrate it's announcement Thursday evening:

The parks selected in the Anchor Parks initiative were chosen because of the high surrounding populations and the fact that they are all historically underfunded parks. Highbridge Park has been around since the 1860s, but most of the parkland was acquired by the city from 1895 to 1901 through condemnation, according to the parks department website. The park grounds were constructed piece by piece between the 1860s and 1960s.

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.

"Highbridge Park is a treasure that our community has long had but that is finally getting the attention and facelifts it deserves," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez in the press release. "With breathtaking views of The Bronx and the Harlem River, the revitalized High Bridge itself, along with hidden hiking trails and even a skate park, these funds will go even further to attract more residents to one of our great parks uptown. I am grateful to the administration and Parks Commissioner Silver for recognizing the value of Highbridge, and we're eager to see these investments go to reviving this important asset."

[Photo: Flickr user Salim Virji]