Honey Locust Park, a neighborhood park in New York City’s Midtown East, has a received a revamp, providing residents in the community a much needed open space.
The reconstructed Honey Locust Park now features benches, plaza space, pavements, landscaping, and water service. Honey Locust Park serves as a green space of tranquility at the foot of the Queensboro Bridge.
This park is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation (DOT).
The park provides a green space to soften the imposing nature of the bridge and surrounding traffic, and also provides the additional benefit of retaining stormwater within the property. The revamped park also allows DOT access to perform maintenance and repairs to the bridge when needed.
Honey Locust Park Renovation Project
This $1.67 million project was funded by the Office of the Mayor, including $750,000 from DEP. Construction began in January 2022 and concluded in September 2022.
The launch of the reconstructed Honey Locust Park was officiated by NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue joined NYC Department of Transportation Manhattan Borough Commissioner Ed Pincar, Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Chief Operating Officer Kim Cipriano, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Assembly Member Alex Bores, Council Member Julie Menin, representatives from Community Boards 8 and 6, and community members.
“I’m excited to unveil the first renovation of Honey Locust Park in recent history,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Any expansion and reconstruction of open, green space is a win for New Yorkers, and we’re grateful to our sister agencies at DOT and DEP for working with us to make this a more welcoming space to sit, relax, and enjoy the shade.”
“DEP was proud to contribute $750,000 towards the refurbishment of Honey Locust Park, an important green space and oasis for the community,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Importantly, this new version of the park will also absorb the stormwater that falls on it which will help to relieve localized flooding and improve the health of the East River.”
“This project is an excellent example of true agency coordination to improve and beautify our public spaces, and I want to commend Parks, DOT, and DEP for their collaboration”, said Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. “The Adams Administration is committed to creating vibrant and attractive public spaces throughout the City, and this project is another step toward that goal.“
“Honey Locust Park gave a drab municipal equipment staging area a second life as a beautiful community gathering spot, and the modern reconstruction highlights the immense care and collaboration the City and the community have taken to continue improving the park,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Honey Locust Park perfectly embodies the paradox of New York City – this serene respite abuts and coexists with a major traffic artery. The value of this park to the community cannot be overstated.”
“Community Board 8 Manhattan is excited to welcome this park back into our neighborhood,” said Russell Squire, Chair of CB8M. “This vital oasis will be a respite for members of our community in a neighborhood that needs more open space. The NYC Parks Department has done an exceptional job revitalizing this underutilized green space.”
If you enjoyed this story, you may also enjoy this one about poetry installations in New York City parks or finding out about the expansion of Starlight Park in the Bronx.
