A New Park Rises from an Old Garbage Dump: Parks as Critical Elements of Urban Infrastructure

Yesterday was a historic day for parks in New York City. While most tourists do not get to see much of Staten Island beyond the ferry terminal, a new urban park is taking shape in that borough on the site of the city's last garbage dump (I mean "landfill"). Sunday, May 15th was "Discovery Day" at the Freshkills Park. According to the website of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, people were invited to:

Discover Freshkills Park and explore 700 acres of the otherwise closed site with free tours and recreation. At 2,200 acres, Freshkills Park is almost three times the size of Central Park and the largest park to be developed in New York City in over 100 years. It also has a significant history as the site of the former Fresh Kills Landfill, which was the largest landfill in the world before closing in 2001. Since then, the landfill has been covered with layers of soil and infrastructure, and the site has become a place for wildlife, recreation, science, education, and art. As the park is built in phases, free tours and events provide early access for learning and exploration opportunities. On Discovery Day, eight miles of trails and paths will offer views of the park's hills, creeks, and wildlife. A 5K course will be mapped out for runners and walkers.

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