Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

This spring, New York State Parks completed and opened three major components of the park's transformation. The projects create a revitalized setting for the Bronx park's 1.3 million visitors, expand opportunities for youth programs, and make the park and surrounding neighborhood more resilient against flooding from the Harlem River, including:

• A nearly $46 million redesign of the waterfront to provide a more welcoming park environment while enhancing flood protection, storm resilience and green infrastructure. The 2,200-foot-long steel bulkhead and esplanade were replaced with a more resilient design to address severe corrosion discovered in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. The renewed esplanade and lower plaza feature a shared pedestrian/bicycle pathway, river overlook, new boat launch, new performance area, new plantings and a scenic 9,000-square-foot inter-tidal area. This inter-tidal area provides natural habitat for plant and animal life, absorbs heavy rainfall, and creates new opportunities for environmental education. Improvements to the northern shoreline include a naturalized rip rap breakwater and new fencing to open up river views.

• A $7 million rehabilitation of the upper plaza gateway to the park, including: replacing its structural steel supports and decking; rebuilding the crumbling staircase to the lower level; opening up views to the park; improving landscaping; and relocating the life-size bronze statue of Roberto Clemente to a more prominent place at the park's entrance.

The projects were financed through a Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, funding from Governor Cuomo's NY Parks 2020 initiative, and grants from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., New York City Council Member Vanessa Gibson, State Senator Jose Serrano and Assembly Member Latoya Joyner. Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, and Alex Rodriquez provided additional funding for the new athletic fields.

The park improvements reflect Governor Cuomo's commitment to revitalizing state parks. The Governor has spearheaded nearly $100 million in completed projects at the park - the largest investment in the state park system - including the recent $30 million renovation of the park pool and aquatic facility and construction of a $4.5 million destination playground. The Governor's NY Parks 2020 program is a multi-year commitment to invest in park improvements. The 2019-20 State Budget allocates $110 million toward this initiative.

Summer Youth Employment

Governor Cuomo also announced the state will provide $44 million to support New York State's Summer Youth Employment Program administered by the state's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). The program introduces young people from low-income families into the labor market so they can develop useful skills that will help them improve school performance and become responsible adults. State funding for the program is used to subsidize wages paid to eligible youth and to support education and training activities. In addition, funds are used for counseling and employment-related services, such as transportation to and from work and job training. This year's state budget boosted program funding by more than $4 million, to account for an increase in the minimum wage and ensure the same number of youth can be employed.

Participants work in entry-level jobs at places such as parks, nursing homes, summer camps, child care organizations, senior citizen centers and community recreation centers, among others. The program is open to young people between the ages of 14 and 20, from households with an income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or $41,560 for a family of three. Youth enrolled in the program receive at least New York's minimum wage, which increased to $15 per hour in New York City this year; $12 per hour in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties; and $11.10 per hour for the remainder of the state.

OTDA provides funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program to county social service departments across the state. Youth interested in participating in the program should contact their county department of social services. More information can be found here: http://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp

Last year, roughly 19,000 young people from low-income households were employed through the program. OTDA distributed more than $40 million to all 57 counties and New York City to help connect youth to jobs. The program has provided more than $273 million in funding since 2011 and has provided about 159,000 jobs for youth.

A list of funding amounts by county for 2019 can be found here.

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, "It's is truly exciting to see so many partners come together to make the transformation of Roberto Clemente State Park a reality. The end result is breathtaking. This couldn't have happened without the Governor's vision and his mandate to act boldly and get good results for the people of New York."

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Mike Hein said, "Constructive labor market experiences can provide invaluable benefits for youth from low-income families, since many of them often face a challenging transition into the workforce or higher education institutes. The Summer Youth Employment Program is a critical resource young people can tap to gain this experience and use it to positively influence their future."

Emily Thompson, General Counsel & Chief External Affairs Officer, Governor's Office of Storm Recovery, said, "Through this incredible investment in Roberto Clemente State Park, we have taken action to ensure that this beloved public space remains available and accessible to the Morris Heights community in a post-Sandy world. One by one, projects like this are transforming New York into a better, stronger state. GOSR is proud to have championed resiliency upgrades that will better protect the park as It continues to welcome and inspire visitors from the Bronx and beyond."

"Parks are an invaluable community resource and can play a key role in a child's formative years, especially if they offer athletic facilities that some families would otherwise not have access to. An investment to revitalize the Roberto Clemente State Park is an investment in our children's future and in continuing to honor the legacy of baseball legend Roberto Clemente. I thank the Governor for once again choosing to invest in our kids' wellbeing," said Representative José Serrano.

"We will never forget Roberto Clemente for feats on the field and his help for the people of Nicaragua," said Representative Adriano Espaillat. "The Roberto Clemente State Park has been a remarkable asset for our community, including children who play in the ball fields and aspire to follow in Roberto Clemente's footsteps as professional athletes. I applaud Governor Cuomo for securing a great future for this park so future generations will be able enjoy everything that it has to offer."

Senator José Serrano said, "This extraordinary transformation and the much-needed resiliency improvements will ensure that Bronx residents can continue to enjoy Roberto Clemente State Park for years to come. Our State Parks provide tremendous recreational and educational opportunities, and these renovations will enhance visitor experience and make the park more welcoming, while protecting it from potential natural disasters. I commend Governor Cuomo for his leadership and commitment to State Parks and improving quality of life for the people of the Bronx."

Assembly Member Carmen De La Rosa said, "I'd like to commend Governor Cuomo's commitment to invest in the rehabilitation of state parks and the partners that helped to fund this project. Roberto Clemente State Park serves not only the Bronx but also neighboring communities in Northern Manhattan that are a few stops away from the recreation and many options it offers. Parks are essential to the safe and healthy development of our youth especially in the summer months when they are off from schools and need vital programs that promote employment opportunities with exposure to real world scenarios that expand their practical workforce skills. Supporting youth with an additional temporary income to serve low-income families is only fair. We continue to put families first in our efforts and having this park renovated with a safer waterfront, upgraded and new ballfields, and a state of the art fully renovated gateway to the park right before Summer is gratifying to the Morris Heights residents and neighboring visitors that look forward to a safe, recreational, and joyous summer."

"Families throughout my community are benefiting from the extraordinary investment in Roberto Clemente State Park," Assembly Member Latoya Joyner said. "This $100 million commitment has included the complete renovation of the pool and aquatic area, enhanced the vista to the Hudson River, expanded access to the waterway and strengthened the resilience of the Bronx in response to environmental challenges. I appreciate Governor Cuomo's commitment to Roberto Clemente State Park and thank him for these critical investments in my community."

"I commend the governor for his efforts in providing funding that will not only maintain and preserve Roberto Clemente State Park, but allow for more recreational activities that all New Yorkers can benefit from," said Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo. "I also want to thank the Governor for increasing funding for the New York State Summer Youth Program, which will provide youth from lower income families employment opportunities."

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. said, "The newly transformed Roberto Clemente State Park is a great gift to our community, and I am proud to have allocated $2.5 million from my own capital budget towards its renovation. Thanks to the hard work of Governor Cuomo, we have a new and improved place where children and their families can come together for sports and valuable time together in a beautiful setting right here in the Bronx. I am also looking forward to the summer and the start of the Summer Youth Program, which the Governor has given more funding to give our kids summer jobs."

New York City Council Member Vanessa Gibson said, "Governor Cuomo has always been a great friend of the Bronx. The revamped Roberto Clemente State Park is not only beautiful, it is a community space. As a tribute to Roberto Clemente, the new baseball fields will give every kid from the Bronx a chance to learn the valuable lessons of teamwork and perseverance that baseball teaches. The increased funding to the Summer Youth Program will also ensure that every kid has a chance to get a summer job. I want to thank the Governor for his commitment and investment to the children and families of the Bronx that will last for generations to come."

As part of a sweeping $19 million investment to improve opportunities for youth in the Bronx, Governor Cuomo has also announced $8 million in future improvements to support youth programming and facilities. Work will include renovating the existing and deteriorated gymnasium into a fieldhouse with a refurbished basketball court for newly created local basketball leagues, new fitness center outfitted with weights, strength and fitness equipment, improved and expanded multi-purpose classrooms for tutoring, chess and fitness, additional baseball/softball field improvements, and a new playground.