NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe today joined City Council Member Lew Fidler, State Assembly Member Alan Maisel, Lenny Fogel of United Canarsie South Civic Association, and District 18 Leader Frank Seddio to cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Canarsie Skate Park.
“Thanks to $2.13 million allocated by Council Member Lew Fidler, Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Brooklynites can once again catch some air at Canarsie Park,” said Commissioner Benepe. “The redesign of the skate park provides maximum fun and reflects the suggestions of the local skate community by featuring boxes, rails, and ramps.”
The renovations to Canarsie Skate Park were funded generously by $1.3 million allocated by Council Member Fidler; $432,000 from Borough President Markowitz; and an additional $325,000 from Mayor Bloomberg. The new concrete plaza-style skate park includes the installation of new pavement with accessible paths, a central skate area, and skate obstacle trail. The park features new gardens with woodland plants, including trees, shrubs, perennials, and ferns.
In addition, a small bleacher for spectators and steel fencing along Seaview Avenue were installed. In the design process, Landscape Architect Stacia Tull met with local skaters and skate equipment manufacturers to design elements of the course.
Since entering the City Council in 2002, Council Member Fidler has allocated over $9.5 million towards Canarsie Park. This funding has gone toward various projects in the park including the cricket field, pathways, a fitness trail with exercise stations, park lighting, bicycle racks, benches, steel fencing, new lawn areas, shrubs, and new trees. In addition, we look forward to the upcoming construction of a new playground adjacent to the skate area.
The land known as Canarsie Park was purchased in 1895. Since then, the park has continuously grown. With its playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, and baseball diamonds, Canarsie Park provides much recreation space for the residents of Brooklyn.