In Long Island City, second phase of Hunter’s Point South waterfront park debuts

The city officially debuted the second phase of the waterfront park that’s part of the Hunter’s Point South megaproject, in Long Island City, on Wednesday. This second stretch measures 5.5 acres, and follows the opening of the first phase of the park in 2013. Together, these two phases of development offer up 11 acres of waterfront green space along a formerly industrial stretch.

The second phase of the park begins south of 54th Avenue, and ends around the curve of Newtown Creek. It was designed by SWA/Balsley in collaboration with Weiss/Manfredi, and is the second waterfront park on a former industrial stretch to debut in recent months, following the opening of Domino Park earlier this month. At the end of the summer, another waterfront park will debut in Greenpoint.

At the Hunter’s Point South Park, there are bicycle pathways, fitness equipment for adults, a playground, picnic terraces, wooden seating areas, a kayak launch, and a 30-foot-high cantilevered platform that offers up views of Manhattan. The $100 million park project also created 3,400 linear feet of new roadways, storm sewers, sanitary sewers, water main and utilities, all of which will support the housing that’s being developed in the second phase of the megaproject.

Albert Vecerka/Esto, courtesy WEISS/MANFREDI

“The second phase of the Waterfront Park has created an 11-acre urban oasis of green resilient recreation space that will serve the residents and growing families of Hunter’s Point South and the surrounding community,” said Queens Borough President, Melinda Katz, in a statement.

UPDATE: Head on over to Field Condition for some close up photos of the park.

Albert Vecerka/Esto, courtesy WEISS/MANFREDI

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• Hunter’s Point South Archives [Curbed]