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City Opens First Section of Goodhue Park in Staten Island

By Nicholas Rizzi | April 25, 2013 3:33pm
 Officials cut the ribbon on the first section of Goodhue Park in New Brighton.
Officials cut the ribbon on the first section of Goodhue Park in New Brighton.
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Department of Parks and Recreation

NEW BRIGHTON — The first section of Goodhue Park, which was previously in danger of being sold to developers, was officially opened by the city on Wednesday.

The 15-acre parcel on Prospect Avenue was secured by a $5.6 million allocation by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and $1.5 million from the City Council, the Parks Department said.

“With more than 10,500 acres of parkland and open space, Staten Island has earned its title of ‘The Borough of Parks,’” Borough President James Molinaro said in a release. “Now our Island will be even greener with the acquisition of the first parcel of Goodhue Park, thanks to Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council.”

The city has tried to save Goodhue Park, owned by the Children's Aid Society, in 2006. The acquisition of the land for a park was approved in 2009, and the city took control of it last year.

Richard Buery, CEO of the Children’s Aid Society, said the money from the sale would help the organization continue programing on Staten Island.

“We are grateful to Mayor Bloomberg and the New York City Council for funding the purchase of this land for NYC Parks,” Buery said in a release. “The proceeds of this sale will allow us to expand our work in Staten Island and put us one step closer to our vision of helping children from across the city escape poverty and live happy, healthy and productive lives.”

The land has 28-acres of woodlands, an indoor gymnasium, and 11 buildings which Parks plans to use for recreational programs, and maintenance and operations.

The Parks Department is still looking for funds to buy the rest of the property, the release said.