Press Releases

$1.9 million project brings new amenities to the beloved Staten Island waterfront park

NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa today joined New York City Councilmember Kamillah M. Hanks, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, NYC Parks Borough Commissioner Joseph G. Homsey, members of the community and local schoolchildren to celebrate the ribbon cutting for two new basketball courts at Staten Island’s Faber Park. The courts are the latest amenities to be added to the popular North Shore park, complementing the existing recreation center, pool, skate park, and Parks Without Borders playground.

“These new courts not only provide the community with much needed, high quality recreational spaces, but they are also sited and designed to reflect the open and welcoming feeling of this park. With investments like these we are strengthening neighborhoods, enhancing livability, and continuing to make this city more family-friendly,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “We’re grateful to Councilmember Hanks and the City Council for their support of this project, and we look forward to community members enjoying these courts for years to come.”

The $1.9 million project, funded by Councilmember Hanks, has created two junior basketball courts in a distinct space adjacent to the waterfront promenade and reachable via the park’s accessible path system. The project also added sports lighting for evening play and new plantings which create a natural separation between the courts and the promenade. Minimal use of fencing maintains the open feeling of the park. Shaded seating within the court area consists of 1964 World’s Fair benches and bleachers.

“I am incredibly proud to see the transformation of Faber Park with the addition of these state-of-the-art basketball courts. This is more than just an upgrade it’s a meaningful investment in our youth. I remain committed to ensuring that the North Shore has access to quality public spaces," said Council Member Kamillah M. Hanks.

“The renovations to Faber Park’s basketball courts have truly revitalized this space, and I’m thrilled that they are now officially open to the public. With these new upgrades, families now have even more reasons to gather, play, and enjoy this incredible park. Thank you to Councilmember Hanks, Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa, Borough Commissioner Homsey, and everyone who made this project possible for the families of Port Richmond. I look forward to seeing our kids and families out here playing on the courts for years to come,” said Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.

"Faber Park has always been a cornerstone of this community, and I’m proud to have helped spearhead this project during my time with NYC Parks. To stand here today and see these new basketball courts open to the public is a full-circle moment — one that reflects our collective commitment to providing safe, vibrant, and welcoming spaces for our young people and families to enjoy for generations to come," said Assemblyman Charles D. Fall.

Faber Park is located on what was once the Faber family’s North Shore property. The land was given to NYC Parks in 1928. In 1932, Faber Park opened with the largest pool on Staten Island at the time of its completion. In 1941, Faber Park more than doubled in size. The park and pool were restored in 1996, which included upgrades to the facilities and repairs to the exterior grounds. To provide more opportunities for active recreation and to fulfill the needs of the burgeoning younger community of park users, a skate park was constructed in 2015.

In 2020, NYC Parks completed renovations as part of the Parks Without Borders initiative, which improved park entrances and perimeters and made them more open and welcoming. As part of the reconstruction, the 1930s-era park entrance that included a formal oval drive was reconfigured to include play spaces, a multi-use oval plaza with an amphitheater, and less imposing fences. These enhancements provide better access and an improved visitor experience.