Parks Officials To Update Community On Highbridge Park Renovations

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — City Parks Department officials will update the Washington Heights community Tuesday night on a planned $30 million renovation of Highbridge Park. Officials will solicit further community input on the plan and present a preliminary master plan created using feedback from a November community visioning meeting, according to the Parks Department.

"The NYC Parks design team has compiled and analyzed the exciting ideas you shared, identifying which ones came up the most and fit within the scope of a capital master plan," Northern Manhattan Parks Administrator Jennifer Hoppa said in a letter.

The Parks Department identified six goals for the $30 million renovation:

• Increasing access and connectivity
• Enhancing park maintenance and amenities
• Strengthening gathering places
• More sports opportunities
• Improving play spaces, programming and placemaking opportunities
• Adding lighting

The community "report back" meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. in the Highbridge Recreation Center. Light refreshments and Spanish translation will be provided at the meeting.

The park was selected to receive funding via the 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.

"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 August. “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."

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.

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.

Photo by Salim Virji via Flickr/Creative Commons