The face of parks and recreation is changing in New York City. This week, mayor Eric Adams announced a $164 million investment that will transform the Clarkson Street corridor in the West Village.
According to NYC’s Office of the Mayor, the project will include 100,000 square feet of both indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, including three properties, an aquatics center and green space. Adams, along with the Department of Parks and Recreation commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, used community feedback in shaping the plans for this massive investment.
The indoor recreation center will be a fully accessible building with its own pool, a multi-court gymnasium and other programmatic spaces. The outdoor pool will maintain the historic Keith Haring’s Carmine Street Pool Mural and historic buildings while adding a modern aquatic complex. Other spaces in the project will include green space for passive recreation and additional public art.
“This is a transformational milestone for this neighborhood and for Manhattan as a whole — and thanks to Mayor Adams’ ‘Celebrate Swimming’ funding, we’re turning that vision into reality,” said Rodriguez-Rosa. “From a brand-new indoor pool and basketball gym to honoring the legacy of Keith Haring’s mural, we’re celebrating history as we plan for the future with expanded amenities that support community wellness. This project reflects what residents have asked for: inclusive, free, and accessible recreation that inspires healthier, more connected neighborhoods.”
The budget for this large-scale project is a part of Adams’ 10-year Capital Plan. Adams unveiled the ‘Best Budget Ever’ in March of this year, a $115.1 billion package that included everything from school spending to sanitation. The parks and recreation allotment falls under the budget’s capital investments fund.
Said Adams, “This budget is a testament to our commitment to making New York City safer, more affordable, and the best place to raise a family."
