Transforming a poorly kept brownfields site into a dynamic urban park

Bronx Terminal Market Redevelopment and Mill Pond Park

Transforming the Bronx Terminal Market, including Mill Pond Park, from a poorly kept brownfields site into a dynamic urban park was an exciting opportunity for Stantec to provide the community with open space it desperately needed. The Bronx Terminal Market was the city’s primary distribution point for fruits and vegetables and had fallen into disrepair, surrounded by demolished warehouses.

We brought our parks and planning experience to the revitalization of the area, including the 10-acre Mill Pond Park on the Harlem River waterfront, connecting to adjacent waterfront recreational facilities. As part of the new Yankee Stadium plan, community open space and recreational needs that were displaced had to be replaced. We not only did that but also enhanced the neighborhood by responding to community desires. 

We replaced 16 tennis courts, and designed a replacement waterfront esplanade, passive open space, and outdoor classrooms. We also restored the waterfront with sheeting, rip-rap, and stone dressing, and created access to a ferry landing located at the northern end of the park.

Our longstanding relationships in the community were essential as we designed waterfront and pedestrian circulation. We garnered public support and were able to obtain necessary permits in a timely way from both city- and state-level public agencies.