Press Release
June 29, 2012
Dan Keefe, (518) 486-1868
Riverbank State Park Athletic Field Reopens
Restored sports field first of $4.2 million in renovations in store for Riverbank under Governor Cuomo's New York Works initiative
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey joined state and city leaders to reopen the newly restored Riverbank State Park athletic field, the first completed revitalization projects taking place at this West Harlem park thanks to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's New York Works initiative.
"Riverbank State Park is a vital recreational and cultural anchor of West Harlem, visited by more than 3 million people a year, and I'm grateful that Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature are giving us the tools to keep it that way," said Harvey. "Currently, 83 percent of state parks are deteriorating. The New York Works fund is reversing years of decline at state parks like Riverbank, while providing desperately-needed recreational facilities in the communities they serve."
The Governor's comprehensive New York Works initiative is designed to put thousands of people to work by making strategic investments to improve roads and bridges, municipal water systems, state parks and historic sites, and dams and flood control project, including a total of $4.2 million to renovate Riverbank. The $1.5 million replacement of the athletic field, which has been closed since January of this year for safety reasons, is one the first New York Works projects to be completed. The restored field will allow the Park to continue serving the approximately 250,000 school, youth program, and recreational visitors per year who currently play football and soccer on what was a heavily-worn and deteriorated field.
In addition to the athletic field, progress is moving forward on additional plans to revitalize the park, including:
- resurfacing the park's deteriorated track and replace the worn gymnasium floor, used by 100,000 and 200,000 patrons a year respectively;
- installing new shade structures at the skating rink to preserve the quality of the ice, used by 125,000 patrons annually; and
- rehabilitating the park's deteriorated hot water heating system, which has not been updated since the park's construction.
"Riverbank State Park is a wonderful asset serving the people of Northern Manhattan, and I am happy that we were able to work with Governor Cuomo in order to bring the Park back to its full potential," Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr. said. "I look forward to working further with my fellow members of the New York Works Task Force to bring other exciting projects to fruition and help put New Yorkers back to work."
"I was proud to help negotiate the initial construction of Riverbank State Park, the only State Park within Manhattan. Almost twenty years later, I was proud to negotiate the portion of the state budget which created the New York Works initiative. This program is economic stimulus at its very best, revitalizing valuable infrastructure and employing thousands of New York residents in the process. This project at Riverbank is evidence of Governor Cuomo's dedication to our neighborhoods and upholds the commitment to Harlem that was made by New York State in 1993. I commend all of those who were involved in the process and welcome New York City back to our favorite State Park!" said Assemblyman Keith Wright, Chairman of the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Labor.
"The timing of this much needed funding couldn't be better with the summer season upon us and in full swing. The restoration of the Riverbank State Park athletic field will serve as a great benefit to over 2 million New Yorkers, who currently use this park, and future generations. This funding will continue to revitalize the park and encourages the athletic complex to maximize its potential as a hub for sports competitions and community recreational activities. I would like to thank the Cuomo administration for acknowledging this unique park and supporting our community to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle." said Council Member Robert Jackson of Northern Manhattan.
Approved by the State Legislature this April, the New York Works Fund and Task Force will coordinate $1.3 billion in State funding to spur up to $25 billion in investment from other sources, including private companies, the federal government, and authorities, to allow major projects to move forward that will create jobs and improve the State's infrastructure. The New York Works Fund will provide $89 million, leveraging $143 million in total funding, to rehabilitate 48 state parks, representing the single largest infusion in history of capital dollars for New York's parks.
Completed in 1993, Riverbank was inspired by urban rooftop designs in Japan. The 28-acre multi-level landscaped recreational facility rises 69 feet above the Hudson River atop a water pollution control plant. Housed in five major buildings are an Olympic-size pool, a covered skating rink for roller skating in the summer and ice-skating in the winter, an 800-seat cultural theater, a 2,310-seat athletic complex with fitness room, and a 150-seat restaurant.
Outdoor sports amenities include a 25-yard lap pool, a wading pool, four tennis courts, four basketball courts, a softball field, four hand/paddleball courts, and a 400-meter eight-lane running track with a football/soccer field. There are two playgrounds, a water splashing area and a number of picnic areas. Riverbank also boasts spectacular promenade views of the Hudson River, the Palisade Mountains and the George Washington Bridge. At water level, there is a 400-seat amphitheater and docking facilities for excursion and fishing boats.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation administers 178 parks and 35 state historic sites. For more information about state parks and historic sites in New York, please visit www.nysparks.com.
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