Manhattan’s Honey Locust Park park reopens after $1.67M renovation

Manhattan’s Honey Locust Park just got a makeover!

The park’s new look was officially unveiled after undergoing close to nine months of renovations from January 2022 to September 2022. 

On April 13, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Manhattan Borough Commissioner Ed Pincar, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) 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 all joined together to cut the ribbon on the reconstruction of the park. 

“This project took perseverance and creativity,” said Assembly Member Bores. “I commend DOT, DEP, NYC Parks and all of those who advocated for years to enable this remarkable refreshing of Honey Locust Park, which will be enjoyed by nearby families for generations.” 

This $1.67 million project was funded by the mayor’s office, including $750,000 from DEP, and it serves as the park’s first renovation in recent history.

Before the renovation, DEP occupied the park for years while executing bridge maintenance and tunnel work, and using it as utility vehicle parking.

“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 Levine. “The value of this park to the community cannot be overstated.”

The value of the park to the community is something Council Member Menin explicitly recognized at the park’s reopening. Menin, who took part in the park’s ribbon cutting, took to Twitter to express her happiness about the newly refurbished park noting that her “council district ranks 47th out of 51″ when it comes to lack of green space.

Chair of Manhattan Community Board 8 Russell Squire agreed.

“This vital oasis will be a respite for members of our community in a neighborhood that needs more open space,” Squire said.

The renovated park now features benches, plaza space, pavements, landscaping and water service. Its new design also allows DOT access to perform maintenance and repairs to the bridge when necessary. The park provides an additional functional benefit to the surrounding areas as well.

“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,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala.

With its new life, Levine explained that Honey Locust Park perfectly showcases what New York City represents.

“Honey Locust Park,” he said,” perfectly embodies the paradox of New York City – this serene respite abuts and coexists with a major traffic artery.”