4th Street Park
Location
Mount Vernon, NY
Status
Designing
Construction Completion
Estimated 2026
Site Area
0.9 acres
Construction Cost
$2.475M
People Served
17,269
Design Consultants
Arcadis
Special Features
Upgraded basketball courts, bioretention gardens with native plantings, teen/adult fitness equipment, mural
Historic 4th Street Park is located in Mount Vernon’s South Side and is in need of re-imagining to meet current recreational and social needs. Approximately 0.9 acres 4th Street and its surrounding environs are entirely asphalt with no park-like elements beyond once-famous basketball courts that have launched the careers of many college and NBA players across the region.
But now, drainage conditions are so dire the courts are frequently unplayable. The City is working to solve the existing rain drainage problems, reduce storm water runoff, and improve water quality while enhancing park aesthetics, adding amenities, and increasing usage for the residents that live in this densely developed neighborhood.
New City Parks (NCP) is partnering with the City to first address the stormwater issue with underground storage and filtration. The proposed green infrastructure will feature bioretention systems and porous pavements that will provide the foundation for future planned park improvements.
We will then restore the storied courts, adding bleachers and vibrant color seal paint. The proposed design goes far beyond basketball with gardens, areas for table games and picnics, teen/adult fitness equipment, and many new shade trees. The project will also complement anticipated improvements at the neighboring Doles Recreational Center campus revitalization and Eddie Williams Playground, creating a lively center-city complex for all ages. Our work at 4th Street Park and the adjacent Doles Center, as well as two other parks projects in Mount Vernon, is guided by the understanding that every quality green space, large or small, plays a critical role in establishing a relationship with nature for city residents.
To fund this work, the City has secured a $1.8M NY State stormwater grant. NCP is working with the City to secure the remaining capital to rebuild the park based on the community-led design process.
