Yesterday, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, Manhattan Deputy Borough President Keisha Sutton James, Council Member Carlina Rivera, former Council Member Rosie Mendez, Community Board 6 Chair Kyle Athayde, Ms. Wheelchair New York 2023 Khalia Hayslett, and community members cut the ribbon on a $5.05 million renovation of Bellevue South Park in Manhattan.
“I’m so excited to celebrate the renovation of Bellevue South Park, which has so many amenities for the neighborhood to enjoy – new play equipment, a reconstructed basketball court, and a permanent dog run,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Thanks to the Borough President, City Council, and Office of the Mayor for funding this park renovation, which will allow New Yorkers to use it to its full potential.”
“This beautiful renovation comes at the perfect time, with park upgrades and new features premiering as summer begins. “In prioritizing accessibility, expanded planting, and community feedback, the new Bellevue South Park represents the 21st century space parkgoers deserve,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Between the playgrounds, the dog run, and the basketball courts, the overhauled park offers something for everyone.”
“Our community’s vision for a great public space is finally a reality! Congratulations to all of our neighbors who have been working together for years to have Bellevue South Park renovated. Our public spaces are precious to New Yorkers. They are a respite from the busy life of the city, a meeting place for friends, an adventure for children, and beloved by all. I’m proud to work with the City to make our parks and public spaces more accessible and resilient- not just for us here and now, but for generations to come,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera (D-02).
“Manhattan Community Board 6 (CB6) has a lengthy history advocating for our district’s parks, and Bellevue South Park in particular. CB6 helped the community shape the design of this wonderful project and has long advocated for the inclusion of an ADA-compliant dog run. We are happy to see our community’s vision made real in the completion of Bellevue South Park’s reconstruction. As a capital project that spans two administrations, we thank our current and former mayors, borough presidents, and council members for funding this work, and we thank the Parks Department for giving our district such a wonderful park space to enjoy.” — Manhattan Community Board 6, Chair, Kyle Athayde.
“My position as a disability advocate and Ms. Wheelchair New York 2023 are important aspects of my life, but my most important job is being a mom to my teenage son Brandon. Brandon is a basketball enthusiast. Our family is a living example of who this park redesign was created to enjoy,” said Khalia Hayslett, Ms. Wheelchair New York 2023. “Service animals are extensions of many New Yorkers with Disabilities who should have the right to enjoy the beauty of the dog run and the opportunity to socialize their animals in a safe appropriate space. More accessibility in public spaces means more families with disabilities can enjoy the park and sporting events like basketball together.”
The renovation of this 1.59-acre park included an expanded play unit and play-house; new tot swings; renovated safety surfaces, pavements, and curbs; lowered fences and gates; and reconstructed basketball courts. The temporary dog run was upgraded and made permanent with water features, agility units, and a water fountain with accessibility for humans and dogs.
Overall, accessibility throughout the park was improved as well, through new ramps and repaving pathways. The perimeter fence along the three street sides was lowered from 6 feet to 4 feet in accordance with the Parks Without Borders design approach.
New plantings of trees and shrubs will help absorb stormwater and mitigate the urban heat island effect, which will also be helped by a lighter color material palette for safety surfaces.
This project was made possible with $3.95 million from the Office of the Mayor, $950,000 from the City Council, and $150,000 from the Manhattan Borough President.
Parks assumed jurisdiction over Bellevue South Park in 1986. A park renovation in 1997 transformed the park into its current layout. The concrete wall surrounding the park was removed and trees and planting beds replaced what had been concrete and asphalt in the interior. Playgrounds to the north and south were installed, each surrounded by a dense tree grove. A basketball court was placed in the south precinct. A children’s spray shower in the north end includes decorative bronze details of foliage, turtles, frogs, and cherub heads. The north playground also features cast concrete frogs and a decorative fence featuring rabbits, turtles, and chicks.
Later a dog run was installed adjacent to the central pedestrian corridor and seating area, and in 2001 Antoni Milkowski’s abstract sculpture entitled Skaggerak was relocated from Madison Square Park to this park’s northern landscape. The park takes its name from nearby Bellevue Hospital, one of the world’s leading medical institutions for more than two centuries.