Highbridge Park

NYC Parks Cuts The Ribbon On Juan Bosch Plaza At Highbridge Park

NYC Parks Manhattan Borough Commissioner William Castro today joined City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, State Senator Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Member Gabriela Rosa, Dominican Republic Consul General Felix A. Martinez, President of Fundacion Professor Juan Bosch USA Santos Acevedo, and members of Juan Bosch’s family including his daughter Carolina Bosch, to cut the ribbon on the redesign of Highbridge Park’s Juan Bosch Plaza. The event also featured a vocal performance of Juan Bosch’s “La Gaviota,” by Jennifer Pion.

“Just in time for the summer season, we are pleased to open a brand new outdoor seating area at Highbridge Park,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White. “Professor Juan Bosch was a fervent advocate of democratic values and his contributions to literature made him a mentor for writers around the world. We are honored to name and construct a new seating plaza in a unique garden setting after Professor Bosch. Through his quotes, inscribed in the plaza, future generations will benefit from his wisdom and inspiration. Special thanks to the City Council for allocating the funds to make this important project happen.”

The creation of Juan Bosch Plaza in Highbridge Park commemorates the writing of Juan Bosch (1909-2001), the prolific author and freely elected president of the Dominican Republic in 1962.

The project was conceived by the Fundacion Profesor Juan Bosch to create a public gathering space that honors Juan Bosch and provides a venue for readings, music, poetry, and an opportunity for reflection. The design by NYC Parks Landscape Architect Laura Drawbaugh includes extracts from Juan Bosch's writings in both English and Spanish, new seating, plantings, and lighting.

The enhancements were funded with capital allocations of $500,000 from the New York City Council and $350,000 from Mayor Bloomberg

This project is part of nearly $100 million that has been invested in recent years for upgrades to Highbridge Park, which include the restoration of the 1848 landmark High Bridge, the creation of the City’s first mountain biking course, renovations of baseball fields, basketball courts, interior paths, and much more.