A person stands on a balcony using binoculars, overlooking a green park with walking paths, trees, groups of people, and birds in the sky under a bright, partly cloudy sky. People relax in a park with benches and paths, surrounded by trees and greenery. A modern building labeled Cedar Grove is visible in the background under a bright, partly cloudy sky. People walk, sit, and relax on a spacious boardwalk near a green building and shaded seating areas, with a large suspension bridge and river in the background under a bright blue sky. A city street with a dedicated bus lane, a protected bike lane, and a sidewalk. People walk, cycle, and wait for the bus; cars drive on the adjacent road. Trees, flowers, and birds add greenery and life to the scene under a blue sky. Map showing the Shoreline Parks Plan overall concept design along the coast, featuring parks, open spaces, bicycle paths, parking lots, dunes, and ponds, with labeled sections including Oakwood Beach, Cedar Grove, Midland Beach, Seaview, and Sand Lane. Seaview Beach Section - Staten Island East Shoreline Parks Plan

East Shore Shoreline Parks Plan

Project Type

Cultural & CivicSustainability

Completion

2022

Location

Staten Island, NYC

Client

NYC Department of Parks & Recreation

As a subconsultant to Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners, and under contract with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, we contributed to the Staten Island Shoreline Parks Master Plan. Funded by the New York State Department of State through Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund, the project explored strategies to enhance parks along Staten Island’s east shore while improving coastal resilience to sea-level rise and flooding. BKSK contributed to the following tasks at multiple beach sites, including Oakwood Beach, Cedar Beach, Midland Avenue, Seaview, and Sand Lane.

BKSK conducted a comprehensive analysis of visibility and circulation across each site, examining relationships between parking areas, recreational program spaces, and pedestrian routes leading to the line of protection (LOP) in order to enhance wayfinding, safety, and overall accessibility. The team evaluated potential locations and programmatic needs for new comfort stations, lifeguard facilities, Maintenance and Operations (M&O) and Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) facilities, as well as food and recreation concessions, with a focus on strengthening neighborhood connections to the shoreline. Opportunities for the adaptive reuse of existing buildings were also explored to maximize resources and minimize environmental impact. Throughout the process, Parks standards and coastal resilience guidelines were carefully integrated at each site to ensure durable, flexible designs capable of responding to future climate conditions.

Awards