Our Beloved Valentino Park, by John McGettrick

Valentino Park & Pier, at the foot of Coffey Street in Red Hook is no doubt one of New York City’s smallest but also one of the most extraordinary assets. Its unobstructed vistas of the harbor – including the Statue of Liberty, the Verrazano Bridge, Ellis Island, Governor’s Island, the Manhattan skyline, State Island and New Jersey – are what attract so many people.

However, there is so much more to this special place, providing enjoyment to young and old alike. Activities include-but are not limited to – fishing, crabbing, and a sandy beach where dogs swim and kayaks are launched. Free kayaking, life vests and instruction are provided!

Family picnics, children’s birthday parties and even weddings are celebrated here. Local merchants sponsor a great summer movie series, complete with food offerings. It is the place where Dance Theatre Etcetera holds annual festivals. There are spectacular sunsets and frequent firework displays.

At other times when it is shrouded in fog or encased in swirling snow, and the only sound is the crunch of snow underfoot and the foghorns in the distance, it is a place of quiet contemplation and can let your mind take you wherever you want to be.

This very special place is adjacent to where Fort Defiance once stood, and played a pivotal role in the Battle of Brooklyn, in the Revolutionary War.

Sadly this park and pier came into existence, in large part, as a result of a tragedy. A firefighter, raised in Red Hook, and a member of the FDNY elite Rescue 2 Unit, died in the line of duty in February 1996.

His family, in their time of grief, kindly agreed to support the naming of a long-promised community park and pier in his honor. His father, Louis Valentino was a long time, well known and beloved community and labor leader in Red Hook.

Subsequently, naming legislation was swiftly passed by the New York City Council and signed by the mayor and supported by many elected officials, especially the Borough President.
The architects designing the project actively encouraged local input in the process. The maritime history of the community was incorporated whenever possible. Wooden pilings at the main entrance, steel fencing that includes a wave, a sloop mast as a flagpole and an uninterrupted view corridor going from the beginning of the park to the end of the pier.

The pier itself was designed to extend as far out into the harbor as possible, to maximize the viewing opportunities. It was referred to by many as the “lollipop design.” The long, narrow corridor to the wide end of the pier is interspersed with set back alcoves to enable emergency vehicles to quickly and safely reach the end of the pier, and allow individuals to step back as needed.

The Valentino Park & Pier opened to the public in 1999. A number of years prior to that, a supplemental fund of $50,000 per year was established for the maintenance and improvements at the park. These monies were, and are, being paid directly to the Park’s Department by a private landowner as a condition of his leasing space to the New York City Police Department.
Sandy battered the pier and park; there was erosion and damage to a number of trees and other vegetation as the result of being inundated by seawater. But damage to other parts of Red Hook was far greater.

Currently, some proposed changes by the Parks Department to this special place have caused concern among many in the neighborhood. One proposal calls for asphalt paving of a portion of the park to, in part, prevent standing water from accumulating, reduce erosion and bolster an existing bulkhead. Additional paving above and beyond these efforts has been the source of a controversy.

However, the main concerns, indeed opposition, are focused on the size, location and especially the price of proposed bathrooms. This cost could approach close to $4,000 a square foot. Most believe they, as planned, are too big, in a terrible location and much too expensive. Others even question the need for the bathrooms.

They have held meetings with the Parks Department and others concerned about the matter, including Community Board 6 and Councilmember Menchaca. Working with the Councilmember, a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday October 9, 7 PM at PS 15, the Patrick Daly School, on Sullivan Street. A number of community members, including local architects, are working on developing more satisfactory alternatives.

In addition to these specific concerns, all involved do not want a repeat of what happened at nearby Coffey Park where almost the entire Park has been fenced off from the public for almost a year – including this past summer – to make limited and controversial repairs.

gbrook@pipeline.com