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.
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