Councilman Rafael Salamanca has secured $2 million through NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito’s office for the revitalization of East 132 Street Pier Park.
Salamanca, since he stepped into office in March, has been working to get funding for this project, according to his office.
“What an exciting investment we are making today for the Port Morris neighborhood and for families across the south Bronx,” said Salamanca. “Without a doubt, providing waterfront access to our community through places like Barretto Point Park in Hunts Point and now the Haven Project in Port Morris make a huge positive impact for south Bronx residents. That’s why I was so proud to work with our speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, to secure this funding.”
Ryan Monello, Salamanca’s communications director, said the councilman has also been looking to improve parks such as Boretto Park in Hunts Point and Starlight Park in Longwood.
“He sees the value of having these types of parks in areas that for far too long didn’t have any access to waterfront [spaces],” said Monello.
The work that will be done at East 132nd Street is the first step in a larger New York Restoration Project open space plan.
According to a press release, the NYRP is looking “to harness the expertise of local community leaders, researchers, designers and health partners to deliver a network of open spaces that will improve community health, support safe pedestrian and bike movement, foster social capital and support shoreline resilience.”
NYPR is also working with various partners such as HealthxDesign, Healthfirst, Montefiore Medical Center, South Bronx Unite and BronxWorks to complete the open space plan.
“Through this collaboration, the south Bronx will in the long-term see a new Pier Park and waterfront esplanade that will provide shoreline resilience and brand new waterfront recreational use, improved access to the Randall’s Island Connector, a network of green spaces with significant improvements to the urban tree canopy, and revitalization of industrial heritage sites,” said NYRP.
In addition to aiding the aforementioned open space plan, Salamanca has also provided aid to other parks in the Bronx.
According to Monell, the councilman’s office contributed $82,000 towards PEPS vehicles for Crotona Park, $70,000 for ARGUS security cameras at Crotona Park and $100,000 for improvements at Drake Park.
Salamanca also provided funds, along with Mark-Viverito and Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., to the $1.5 million expected to help improve the new Garrison Playground.
