City Cuts Ribbon on $7.1 Million Renovation of Green DeMatti Park on Staten Island
New Community Parks Initiative Site Received $2.2 Million in Funding from DEP
Green Infrastructure Will Absorb Stormwater and Improve Health of New York Harbor
Photos are Available on DEP’s Flickr Page
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Vincent Sapienza, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, New York State Senator Diane J. Savino, New York City Council Member Debi Rose, and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo recently announced the opening of the newly reconstructed DeMatti Park in Rosebank. DeMatti Park is the second Community Parks Initiative (CPI) site to open in Staten Island after undergoing a $7.1 million reconstruction; with $4.4 million in funding from Mayor de Blasio, $2.2 million from the Department of Environmental Protection, and a $450,000 grant from Senator Savino.
To manage stormwater runoff, green infrastructure has been added throughout DeMatti Park. Green features typically include rain gardens, underground storm chambers and permeable concrete and flood-tolerant plants that capture tens of thousands of gallons of stormwater each year. DEP has committed more than $50 million in funding for green infrastructure installations at CPI sites throughout the city, helping to reduce sewer overflows that sometimes occur during heavy rainfall, improve air quality and lower summertime temperatures.
“DEP is proud to be a partner in NYC Parks’ Community Parks Initiative, which has completely transformed this neighborhood park for the residents of Rosebank,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “The green infrastructure in the newly redesigned DeMatti Park will manage an estimated 115,000 gallons of stormwater per rain event, helping to reduce runoff and improve the health of New York Harbor.”
“As a neighborhood park, DeMatti will be the new gathering place for the families in this community,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver. “Today, these families are getting the park that they deserve. With its increased green space, fitness area, and new play equipment I know that this revamped park will provide opportunities for fun, health, and happiness.
“We take great pride in calling ourselves the Borough of Parks, so I am very happy to see these improvements being made to DeMatti Playground,” said Staten Island Borough President James Oddo. “The people of Staten Island will enjoy these new amenities and enhanced spaces for years to come. Thank you to the administration for continuing to invest in Staten Island’s parks and outdoor spaces.”
“I am thrilled to be a part of the revitalization for DeMatti Park,” said State Senator Diane J. Savino. “I am thrilled the $450,000 allocation will help modernize this park where families and friends can gather in the upcoming warmer months. This intergovernmental partnership is an important aspect of ensuring we're working on behalf of thousands of community residents.”
“Neighborhood parks like DeMatti help to ensure that people of all ages have green spaces near their homes to enjoy healthy active and passive recreation time, which is why I have made investment in parks a priority. The mayor’s Community Parks Initiative recognizes this, with needed investments in several of our neighborhood parks and playgrounds,” said City Council Member Debi Rose. “Today, we cut the ribbon on an investment not only in the physical infrastructure of one of our North Shore neighborhoods, but in all of its residents. I thank all who have come together to make this renovation a reality, and I know that as we move into the warmer months, my Rosebank constituents look forward to enjoying the spray shower, bocce courts and benches.”
DeMatti Park has undergone a complete transformation and boasts improvements including, new spray showers, an adult fitness area, bocce ball courts, a redesigned landscape with more green space, and accessibility in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additional seating areas with benches have also been added, as well as game tables. In addition to these upgrades, DeMatti Park will open a redesigned comfort station in the fall, and there are plans to renovate a garden shed on the property as well. The park design is based on feedback gathered directly from the community at public input sessions.
New green infrastructure elements at the site were developed and funded with $2.2 million from DEP. Rain gardens and a subsurface detention chamber will contribute to a reduction of stormwater runoff of nearly 115,000 gallons each time it rains, helping to improve the health of New York Harbor. The reconstruction also included Parks Without Borders design elements to enhance edges and entrances.
Launched by Mayor de Blasio in October 2014, CPI strives to make NYC Parks a more equitable and accessible parks system by investing in smaller parks that are located in New York City’s densely-populated neighborhoods with higher-than-average concentrations of poverty. Through CPI, the City is investing $318 million in capital dollars to make renovations to 67 parks citywide that have not undergone significant improvements in decades.
DeMatti Park is one of seven CPI sites in Staten Island, and the second to be completed and opened on time.
DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP has nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 in the upstate watershed. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $18.9 billion in investments over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.