Six-acre Hunter’s Point park opens after withstanding Sandy

Hunter's Point South Waterfront Park in Queens
Hunter's Point South Waterfront Park in Queens

The Hunter’s Point South Waterfront Park survived its first big test while under construction — Hurricane Sandy — and has now opened to the public.

The 5.5-acre Queens park features a playground, ball courts and dog run, as well as a café on the way. Along the eastern perimeter the park has 18-inch-wide wire cages – called “gabions” – embedded in the ground that helped protect it when the storm blew in, slowing the floodwaters.

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The Bloomberg administration’s $66 million redevelopment of the area served to provide new and expanded streets, build the park, and install storm sewers.

City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden wanted an all-natural green look for the park. She collaborated with Adrian Benepe, formerly parks commissioner, who was more interested in an all-synthetic playing field. [NYT]Mark Maurer