Bronx, NY  — Today, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Council Member Eric Dinowitz was joined by NYC Parks Department staff, community leaders, school leaders, and students across the neighborhood to cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Harris Park – a vital neighborhood green space transformed by a $2.6 million capital investment secured with the support of Council Member Dinowitz. Attendees at the event included NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Jessenia Aponte, Bronx Community Board 7 District Manager Karla Cabrera Carrera, and several school principals and school athletic directors, whose students utilize the athletic fields for organized sports.

The upgrades to the park’s multipurpose field include regrading the subgrade stone, repainting field lines, and enhancing access to four baseball diamonds, two softball diamonds, football fields, and other areas used for general recreation and physical education. The project also includes improvements to the seating area, making the park more inviting and accessible for residents of all ages.

“Harris Park has always been a central gathering place for our community – from students and families to seniors and athletes,” said Council Member Eric Dinowitz. “This $2.6 million investment ensures that our residents and students have a high-quality space to play, exercise, and connect. These fields are more than patches of grass – they are places where pride, teamwork, and wellness come to life.”

“Increasing access to green space and improving parkland is a key ingredient to building healthy communities,” said Assemblymember John Zacarro, Jr. (80-AD). “Growing up near Harris Field, I hold my memories of playing Little League close to my heart.  The reopening of Harris Park following its massive $2.6m renovation lead by Councilmember Dinowitz means that future generations are afforded that same opportunity and demonstrates the ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Bronx’s parks are healthy, resilient, robust, and meet the increasing demands of the community.”

“As the greenest borough in New York City, the Bronx takes great pride in protecting and enhancing our open spaces like Harris Park,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. “This $2.6 million investment ensures that our families, students, and seniors have a vibrant, accessible place to play, exercise, and connect. When we invest in our parks, we strengthen the health, well-being, and unity of our communities.”

“The newly refurbished artificial turf field will provide an improved recreational experience for the many Bronx schools and sports leagues that regularly use Harris Park,” said NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Jessenia Aponte. “These investments in our park amenities enhance public safety, bring communities closer together, and improve quality of life, and Parks is committed to providing the highest quality recreational spaces for all New Yorkers to enjoy.”

“Bronx Community Board 7 thanks Council Member Dinowitz for investing in renovating the turf field at Harris Park, said Community Board 7 District Manager Karla Cabrera-Carrera. Our community, especially students, utilizes the green space for recreation and physical activity. These renovations to Harris Park reflect the needs and voices of our community, and I’m thrilled to see it realized.” Community Board 7 District Manager Karla Cabrera Carrera.

“The Marie Curie High School for Medicine, Nursing: and Health Professions scholars deserve facilities that match their talent and ambition,” said Marie Curie High School for Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions Principal Peta-Gaye Williams. Thanks to Council Member Dinowitz’s unwavering support, this $2.6 million investment will finally bring the long-needed renovations our school and sports programs have waited for. As a proud Bronx high school Principal in our community school district, I know these upgrades will not only benefit our scholars, but also strengthen the ties between school, families, and the wider neighborhood—ensuring a healthier, safer, and more inspiring environment for all.”

“The Bronx High School of Science Athletics Department would like to thank Council member Eric Dinowitz for his continued support to our school community and the $2.6 Million Capital investment into Harris Park playing fields for our PSAL teams and Physical Education classes,” said Bronx High School of Science Assistant Principal Michael McGrath. “The students, parents, teachers and coaches are very thankful and are looking forward to competing on the new Harris Park fields!”

“The High School of American Studies regularly uses Harris Field for our PE classes and PSAL activities, said High School of American Studies at Lehman College Principal Alessandro Weiss. “We are so grateful that the field has been renovated, since this will benefit our students for many years to come.”

 ###