$12M Park Revamp Unveiled In Greenpoint

GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN — A $12 million revamp of a Sergeant William Dougherty Park in Greenpoint, named for one of the borough's veterans, was unveiled this week.

The park was expanded and renovated as part of the state's reconstruction of the nearby Kosciuszko Bridge, a $873 million project that will replace the 78-year-old bridge with two new cable-stayed bridges. As part of the bridge replacement, the Brooklyn Queens Expressway was re-aligned and Cherry Street, one of the park's borders, was relocated slightly to the south, according to the governor's office.

Sergeant Dougherty Park was then reconfigured from a square to a rectangle to fit the space. It's upgraded facilities include a playground, skate park, basketball court, handball courts and water play area.

It was is named for Seargent William T. Dougherty, a World War II hero who was born in Brooklyn and used to play in the park growing up.

"The reconstruction and addition of more contemporary features of the park's design will make it very attractive to the current generation, and will go a long way towards enhancing its stature as an enduring legacy to the community, while highlighting the personal and historic nature of the location," the family said at a grand opening Monday.

The park was named after Dougherty in 1948. Dougherty was a World War II Army National Guardsman, who died in a battle at Saipan in 1944. He was posthumously awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the park goes along with his $1.4 billion Vital Brooklyn Initiative that will build 34 new or improved pocket parks, community gardens, playgrounds and recreation centers within a 10-minute walk for every Central Brooklyn resident.

"Public parks are integral to our communities, and this new and expanded open space will be a vibrant new attraction for local families and residents," Governor Cuomo said.

Photos by Anna Quinn/Patch.