Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Jack Deacy (212) 788-3256
"In October 1994, a gang of local thugs attacked and critically injured Police Sergeant Louis Consentino just outside this park, " Mayor Giuliani said." This vicious and senseless attack on a native son of Bay Ridge rightfully outraged the community. But instead of giving in to fear and anger, you banded together and found strength as a community. You were determined to show your support for Sergeant Consentino and determined to show that you would not be intimidated by violence."
"I am amazed to see how much has been accomplished since I visited you at the park house nearly two years ago," continued the Mayor. "The McKinley/Leif Ericson Alliance has done a wonderful job in sponsoring seasonal events such as the annual Fall Festival, 'Santa In The Park', The Easter Fair and of course park clean-ups and gardening programs, making McKinley Park a place where families can come and enjoy themselves. You represent the spirit of New Yorkers at their best, neighbors helping neighbors in a successful battle to enhance the quality of life in New York City."
"Commissioner Stern and our Parks Department also deserve a round of applause," the Mayor added. "Also the 'City Parks Foundation' and Chemical Bank, working side by side with the community, sponsored 'Arts In The Parks', which ran every Wednesday morning this past summer. And now the Parks Department is developing a plan for rebuilding the park."
Over the last two years, the Parks Department has been working closely with the McKinley/Leif Ericson Alliance to improve McKinley Park's physical appearance and increase the number of community activities in the park.
Following a rash of vandalism to the comfort station, the Alliance raised private funds to rehab the bathroom. The Parks Department, using private funds for materials, utilized its in-house forces to rebuild the roof, construct ramps for accessibility, overhaul the electrical system and repaint the entire facility. They also rehabilitated two boccie courts in the park.
Also present at the celebration were retired Sergeant Louis Consentino, Chairperson John DeMartini of Community Board 10, Parks Committee Chair Lora Noonan of Community Board 10, Captain Edward Hayes of the 68th Precinct and President of the Bay Ridge Community Council Charles Otey.
The park is located at 75th Street between Fort Hamilton Parkway and 7th Avenue in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn.