GREENPOINT — A long-anticipated riverside park the city promised in 2005 is finally swinging open its gates this weekend, officials said.
WNYC Transmitter Park, a 6.6-acre space between Greenpoint Avenue and Kent Street by the East River, will open Saturday for the public, the New York City Economic Development Corporation confirmed, which has been designing and constructing the grassy area, kids' play space, and pedestrian bridge over an inlet.
"We are excited to open Transmitter Park this week, which will provide important new waterfront space to the residents of Greenpoint," a spokesman for the NYCEDC said.
The news was first reported by the New York Post.
Local advocates said that Transmitter Park — part of the city's 2005 pledge to provide Williamsburg and Greenpoint more than 30 acres of waterfront space — would serve a critical need for green space in the community.
"I'm glad that the neighborhood will be able to enjoy it for the last few weeks of summer's end," said Williamsburg Councilmember Stephen Levin.S
Some local officials also claimed that the park would have been ready to open for the summer season, had the city not dragged its feet.
"We've been looking through the gate for six months at the park," said state Assemblyman Lincoln Restler. "I'm thrilled that it's finally opening."
But the NYCEDC spokesman said that the final touches of the park, including benches and railings, were just installed last week. The city broke ground on the park in 2010.
The announcement of the park's opening comes days after the city announced it is moving forward on another long-awaited park nearby at 65 Commercial St.
