A long‑underused corner of McCarren Park is finally getting the overhaul neighbors have been asking for — and the community will help decide what the redesigned space becomes.
The athletic field next to the tennis courts is currently a cracked expanse of asphalt, scattered with decommissioned basketball hoops and the remnants of an old baseball diamond. Residents say the space has been deteriorating for years, and many use it informally as a dog run, despite the uneven ground and safety hazards.
City officials say the upcoming $15 million renovation will be one of the largest green‑infrastructure projects in New York City’s history. According to Councilmember Lincoln Restler, the field currently has no drainage system, causing rainwater to pool and worsen the cracking. The redesign includes installing underground water‑retention tanks to reduce flooding in the surrounding neighborhood.
Above ground, the community will help shape what the new space looks like. Some residents hope the redesign will include a safer, dedicated dog run. Others want to see new recreation options.
Nick Martinez‑Conde, who visits the field daily with his dog, said the space is already a favorite for local pet owners. “He loves it here — he wants to live here,” he said.
A resident named Andrew said he’d like to see pickleball added.
“We already set it up ourselves, so it would be great to have it here,” he said. "Right now, we put down chalk, but it doesn't really work with the grass breaking through the ground."
Restler says the new dog run is a guarantee for the project, which he says is moving ahead of schedule.
News 12 is told the finalized design would open in 2029.
A public meeting on May 7 will give neighbors a chance to weigh in before final plans are approved. Some residents say they’re frustrated by the slow pace of progress since the funding was announced last year and hope construction won’t be delayed much longer.
