Picture this: a beautiful seaside promenade. The sun warms your face as you stroll along the decorative pavement of Belden Point Park. This isn’t just any park. It’s a testament to community persistence a ten-year fight for a green space on City Island.
Belden Point Park a small pocket of paradise at the southernmost tip of City Island in the Bronx offers stunning views of the Long Island Sound. It’s more than just a pretty place though. It’s a symbol of revitalization. Once an area prone to dumping and separated from the water’s edge only by a chain link fence the park now boasts landscaped areas benches and even World’s Fair replica benches.
This transformation didn’t happen overnight. It took dedicated community members and elected officials. Senator Jeff Klein Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr and many others championed this project. They secured funding originally allocated over a decade ago. This funding included a significant contribution from the mayor’s office. It showcases how collaboration between residents and government can bring about meaningful change.
The park’s design isn’t just aesthetically pleasing. It’s functional. It includes a vehicular turnaround. The plantings aid in stormwater capture. This small area provides a home for insects butterflies and birds. It improves the neighborhood’s beauty and resilience. It’s a haven for residents and visitors alike.
Even James A Mullarkey a City Island resident and veteran had his doubts. He voiced concerns about the cost and the potential for flooding. Perhaps that’s why it’s called a pocket park. A small investment with a big impact.
Belden Point Park isn’t just a park. It’s a story of perseverance community spirit and the transformative power of green spaces. It’s a place to relax enjoy the waterfront views and reflect on the journey it took to get here. A testament to what can be achieved when people work together.