Image Credit: NYC Parks/Daniel Avila.
On July 2, 2024, the New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, in collaboration with New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, New York City Councilmember Alexa Avilés, and members of the community celebrated the opening of a new skate and BMX park and renovations conducted at Harold Ickes Playground in Red Hook. This project was funded by the New York City Council, Brooklyn Borough President’s Office, and the Office of the Mayor and cost $4.345 million.
The new skate and BMX park offers a dedicated parkour space, a climbing boulder, and skate ramps. There is an onsite bike repair station and air pumps. Parks installed new security lighting, accessible bottle fillers, chess and checker tables, and benches. The park’s greenery was refreshed with new landscaping and trees planted.
The Parks Department consulted with skateboarding and BMX communities to develop a vision for the space, and worked with skateboard design firm Spohn Ranch. This park was created in addition to the four other skate parks announced this April.
Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said, “As more New Yorkers take up sports like BMX biking and skateboarding, it’s vital that they have safe, dedicated spaces to practice, not just sidewalks and parking lots. It’s inspiring to see the transformation that we were able to achieve in this playground, turning an underused asphalt softball field into a lively skate park that’s already won the hearts of many Red Hook residents. This new public resource gives New York City’s diverse skating and biking community a beautiful place to come together for some safe fun. I’m grateful to our partners across government and in the private sector for their support as we continue to make Red Hook, and our entire city, more safe, healthy, and livable.”
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, “Summer fun just got a lot cooler for Brooklyn’s youth. With the opening of this skateboard park at the crossroads of Red Hook, Cobble Hill, and the Columbia Waterfront, we’re nurturing a safe, intentional space for Brooklyn’s young people to enjoy the sport and make friends”
By: Chelsea Ramjeawan (Chelsea is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2025.)