Following an extensive overhaul, a portion of Manhattan’s waterfront is back and bigger than before — and just in time for summer.
At the borough’s watery edge, where cityscape gives way to the Hudson River, a slice of public playspace is once again ready to host visitors.
Originally built in conjunction with the reconstruction of a stretch of Route 9A — better known as the West Side Highway — in 2000, Chelsea Waterside Park has spent the past few years undergoing a multimillion-dollar facelift.
In 2018, the first half of the West 24th Street project reopened, bringing local munchkins a redesigned, wooden Pipefish-slide-equipped playground.
And on Thursday, The Post has learned, the park’s second, $15.2 million phase reopened. It includes a new skylit public restroom built with salvaged wood from previous park benches, an expanded dog run, a permanent picnic area and a refreshed turf field.
Paved areas have been reduced, green spaces expanded, separate sections provided for small and big dogs — and there are also various new water features throughout.
“Today’s reopening of Chelsea Waterside Park affirms Hudson River Park’s commitment to providing visitors with high quality public spaces that meet our community’s recreational needs while also being sensitive to the environment,” said Noreen Doyle, president and CEO of the Hudson River Park Trust, which counts the Chelsea oasis as part of its 4-mile expanse along Manhattan’s shoreline.
“Public green spaces in Manhattan are some of our city’s most precious resources,” added State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal in a statement. “The newly renovated Chelsea Waterside Park will serve as a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city for many of my constituents.”
This year, in addition to the newly completed refurbishments on West 24th Street, Hudson River Park is also opening its Gansevoort Peninsula beach in the West Village and, at its northernmost public pier on West 57th Street, a playground, a ball sports zone, an overlook and a sunset deck.
