New York officials inaugurate first section of Brooklyn Bridge Park

March 22nd, 2010 - 11:55 pm ICT by BNO News  

ALBANY, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) – The first section of Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park was opened on Monday by New York Governor David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and local elected officials, the Office of the Governor announced.

The Pier 1 features the first of the Brooklyn Bridge Park’s waterfront promenades, lawns, a playground, and the “Granite Prospect”, a set of steps built from large granite slabs for sitting and enjoying the scenery. The completed waterfront park will be about 85 acres and will stretch along the Brooklyn waterfront.

“Today is a historic day for the State, City, and the borough of Brooklyn. After more than 25 years Brooklyn Bridge Park is a reality – one that New Yorkers and visitors alike will enjoy,” Governor Paterson said.

“The piers along the Brooklyn waterfront south of the Brooklyn Bridge have for years sat vacant or underutilized, acting as a barrier between Brooklyn residents and their waterfront. New York City’s waterfront is one of our most valuable assets, and opening it up to families in all five boroughs has been a major priority for our Administration. Today’s opening of part of Pier 1 is another important milestone, and it’s just the beginning of the creation of what will be one of the world’s great waterfront parks,” Mayor Bloomberg declared.

Brooklyn Bridge Park is intended to provide a tourism attraction for Brooklyn. It was designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. It includes Piers 1 to 6, Empire Fulton Ferry Park and the existing Main Street Park. Two historic sites will be included into the park, the Civil War-era Empire Stores and the Tobacco Warehouse.

Once finished the park will offer playing fields sport courts, playgrounds, civic lawns, and running and bicycle paths. Pier 1 will be the largest of the park piers, with 9.5 acres, and the only one built on landfill rather than on a structure supported by piles.

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