CHELSEA — Clement Clarke Moore Park will close for a year while the city’s Parks Department carries out a redesign that includes adding water features, seating and picnic tables, an official announced.
The department’s Manhattan chief of staff Steve Simon on Thursday presented nearly finalized plans for the green space at the corner of West 22nd Street and 10th Avenue to Community Board 4’s parks committee.
Changes to the initial plans included adding more water features to the spray-shower area, eliminating drainage problems, and increasing the number of picnic tables, swings and seats available to park-goers — all of which community members recommended, Simon said.
The department also scrapped its plans to lower the park’s fence after hearing fierce opposition from residents.
The agency wasn't, however, able to avoid closing the park for a full 12 months while the renovations take place, Simon said.
“We were asked to consider doing this as a multi-phase construction project,” he said. “That would drive up the cost significantly and bust our budget, so it’s not something we’re going to be able to do.”
Construction could start in October or November if all goes well, he noted.
The department wasn’t able to increase the amount of safety surface in the park, as it interferes with pathways, Simon said.
The new plans also include installing a water hose connection for gardeners and leveling off the spray-shower area so it will no longer be sunken in, he said.
The park’s beloved seal fountains will remain unscathed by the revamp, Simon assured the committee.
“We’ve gotten questions about the seals — I’ve told you before, these are official seals,” he said. “We do not intend to remove or do anything to those seals.”
