Chelsea Unveils a New Park For The First Time in 40 Years

After a decade of hard work, Chelsea Green is the first community park to be built in Chelsea in 40 years, giving parents a new spot for a summer afternoon with the little ones. The newly constructed quarter-acre space on West 20th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues includes a jungle gym, spray features, and a turf area.

“As the first new neighborhood park in 40 years, Chelsea Green provides vital public green space for this growing community,” said New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver. “With a play area, shaded seating and a rain garden, this vibrant park celebrates the energy and ingenuity of the New Yorkers who worked to make this possible.”

The new $5.8 million park was made possible by local families who advocated for the need of an outdoor play space for their kids. Funds for construction came from Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Member Corey Johnson, and a private donor. This resulted in the creation of a play area with play structures, a passive play turf area, plantings and trees, shaded seating, and a spot for rotating public art displays and performances.

“For decades East Chelsea has been a ‘parks desert,’ requiring residents to walk a long distance to access green space or a playground,” said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “Now, after years of organizing and advocacy by Chelsea residents, we finally have a new public park and playground for the community.”