Members of The Bronx’s Community Board 7 unanimously approved a letter of support in favor of construction on the southern third of Poe Park during Wednesday’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs meeting. The project aims to increase shade, greenery and accessibility in the area immediately surrounding the park’s historic bandstand. The total budget for the project is $3.4 million. 

Poe Park, named after poet Edgar Allan Poe, is unique for its programming, which includes fitness and dance classes, and for its historical significance as the location where Bill Finger and Bob Kane originated the character of Batman. 

“There’s so many interesting historical stories here…so there’s no end for celebrating and honoring all these different kinds of events and cultural aspects,” said New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Landscape Architect Marcha Johnson during her presentation on the reconstruction plan.

The asphalt ground surrounding the bandstand retains a considerable amount of heat, according to Johnson.

The new ground will be paved with a different kind of asphalt, one that includes white chips. 

“Even though it’ll have the same strength properties and behave like a paver, they won’t absorb as much heat,” said Johnson. 

New York City Council District 15 Member Oswald Feliz, who grew up near the park and has expressed concern over the effects of extreme heat, secured the funding for the project. Feliz serves on the New York City Council’s Committee on Health, among others.

NYC Parks aims to finalize the design by the end of this year, and construction is intended to begin towards the end of 2023. The construction contract will not exceed twelve months.

“I think it’s a good change of the space. I was very happy that someone took the time to think about it,” said Community Board member Tasha Andrews. “It opens up opportunities for people who didn’t have access to that area.”