HARLEM — Riverbank State Park is getting a new artificial turf field, new boiler and gymnasium floor thanks to a $5.2 million from the state's New York Works program.
Brad Taylor, vice chairman of Community Board 9 and co-chairman of the parks committee, said Riverbank State Park is one of the most heavily used parks in Harlem because of its varied services. There's also an ice rink, an Olympic-length pool and programs for senior citizens.
"It's got all these facilities that people want and need," Taylor said.
That means the park gets a lot of wear and tear.
"The turf absolutely needed to be replaced because it was buckling and dangerous. It's so good to see repairs being done," Taylor said.
The New York Works program provides jobs by rebuilding the state's infrastructure.
Among the other improvements coming to Riverbank are a new boiler system, improvements to the skating rink and infrastructure rehabilitation.
Parks officials describe Riverbank as the only park of its type in the Western Hemisphere. The $100 million facility is built atop the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant. The park was built as a concession to the community seven years after the sewage treatment plant opened in 1986.
