NYC Parks Opens Brand-New Greenspace in Gateway Development, East New York

Photo: NYC Parks / Malcolm Pinckney

The $8.2 million project has constructed over one acre of new parkland in the Spring Creek Urban Renewal Area, complete with sports amenities, a skate plaza, and fitness equipment 

NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher joined New York City Councilmember Charles Barron to cut the ribbon on a brand-new park in the Gateway Estates development in East New York, Brooklyn. Following an $8.2 million construction project, the new park hosts sports and fitness features for older children and adults, as well as community amenities like a new skate park, seating, and water fountains.  

“This is an amazing greenspace that has something for everyone: a skate park, full and half-court basketball, a beautiful green multi-purpose field, adult fitness, passive seating, and security lighting, all in a beautifully landscaped and tree-lined park,” said NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher. “This park will serve generations of people in the community, and I’m grateful to our partners across the administration for their commitment to this project, as well as to Councilmember Barron for his longstanding advocacy for East New York parks.” 

“East New York residents deserve the best because they are the best residents, and at this new park, we got just that: the best park in the city,” said New York City Councilmember Charles Barron. “We are eternally grateful to Borough Commissioner Martin Maher for continuing to see to it that we, East New York, and our particular district over the years have had over $100 million worth of park and recreation spaces. This park will serve as a much-needed recreation outlet for our children and our families, and will bring unity to our community, which is needed, appreciated, and deserved.” 

“Affordable homes paired with active and passive open space is key to creating healthy places to live,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “All of us as kids developed physical, social, and intellectual skills by playing in the park. That’s where we learned to play sports, ride a bike, and also developed deep and lasting friendships with our neighbors. This investment at the Gateway Development creates that magical space where this will happen for a new generation of New York City kids.” 

Following an $8.2 million construction project funded by the Office of the Mayor, the new park hosts basketball courts, a multi-purpose synthetic turf field, an adult fitness area, and a skate plaza, providing older children and adults with opportunities for active recreation. The new park is also equipped with security lighting, drinking fountains, seating, fencing, and plantings. To ensure all New Yorkers can access the park’s features, Parks has constructed accessible routes from the park entrances to the activity spaces, seating areas, and drinking fountains. 

The new park is located within the Gateway Estates development area, a 227-acre mixed-use community near Spring Creek where HPD has spearheaded the creation of approximately 2,660 housing units. In addition to the adjacent 55-acre Spring Creek Park, Parks has constructed two new greenspaces in the Gateway Estates development as part of the Fresh Creek Urban Renewal Plan, with plans to add an additional acre of parkland.