After more than two decades of bureaucratic limbo, the long-awaited transformation of a forgotten industrial lot on Brooklyn's waterfront is finally underway. On October 1, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the start of construction for Box Street Park, a $40 million project that will turn a former Metropolitan Transportation Authority parking plot into a vibrant public green space. The park, located in Greenpoint along the banks of Newtown Creek, is set to open its gates by late summer 2028.
A promise kept after 20 years
The journey to this groundbreaking has been anything but smooth. The site was originally earmarked for parkland during the 2005 rezoning of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, but successive administrations let the promise languish. Meanwhile, the neighborhood's residential population swelled, making the need for open space ever more acute. "This is a profound victory for the families of Greenpoint," said Council Member Lincoln Restler, who has championed the project. "For two decades, we've watched this community grow while the green space we were promised never materialized."
U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez, who has represented the area for decades, described the parcel as "a missing tooth in the coastal park chain." Assembly Member Emily Gallagher highlighted the urgency, noting that Greenpoint has one of the lowest ratios of park space per resident in all of New York City.
Design and funding
The park's design is a thoughtful blend of recreation and resilience. It will feature an elevated waterfront esplanade, granite terraces, picnic areas, and a basketball court, all set within a landscape of native vegetation. The planting palette includes blackgum and Eastern redbud trees, alongside purple lovegrass, little bluestem, Virginia rose, and coastal goldenrod—species chosen for their ability to thrive in the local climate and support pollinators.
Accessibility is a priority: all walking paths will meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, ensuring universal access. The park will also include modern public restrooms, children's play zones, and separate areas for small and large dogs. The initial 2.5 acres could expand to nearly three acres once the MTA's emergency response unit vacates an adjacent plot.
The $40 million budget is a mix of public and private funds. The Mayor's Office is contributing $34.5 million, including a recent $2 million addition to the capital budget. The City Council is adding $500,000, and local real estate developers are chipping in nearly $5 million through the sale of air rights. This innovative financing model ensures the project is fully funded before the decade's end.
Environmental challenges and community impact
The park's location along Newtown Creek—a tidal waterway that has been a Superfund site since 2010 due to decades of industrial pollution—presents unique challenges. However, experts clarify that the environmental remediation of the creek is proceeding independently of the park's construction. The park itself is designed with advanced drainage systems and resilient landscaping to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather, a nod to the flooding that has affected the area.
Demolition and excavation are scheduled to begin in November 2026, following earlier delays documented in municipal budget records from 2023. The project also includes improvements along Commercial Street, between West Street and Manhattan Avenue, with protected bike lanes that will connect directly to the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway.
For the Latino community in Greenpoint and beyond, this park represents more than just a new place to play. It's a testament to the power of persistent advocacy and a reminder that public spaces are essential to the health and well-being of our neighborhoods. As the city continues to grow, investments like this ensure that all residents—regardless of zip code—have access to the green spaces they deserve.
With construction now underway, the dream of Box Street Park is finally becoming a reality. For the families who have waited two decades, the sight of bulldozers and surveyors is a welcome one. As Mayor Mamdani put it, "This is what happens when we keep our promises to the people."
