The NYC Parks Department unveiled upgrades to Seton Park on Independence Avenue in the northwest Bronx, enhancing the popular green space with new fitness and skate park facilities. The $4.59 million renovation also introduced improved accessibility features.

“The new skate park and adult fitness area add even more amenities for users of Seton Park, a popular recreation site for Bronx residents of all ages,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “It means so much to deliver upgrades that this community has specifically requested, and to offer the first skate park in this area of the Bronx.”

The upgraded fitness area now includes pull-up bars, agility and cardio workout stations, and a playground boulder made of glass fiber-reinforced concrete, allowing for various exercise options beyond traditional equipment. Additionally, new on-ground workout markings help visitors follow structured routines.

The skate park features a mix of elements catering to different skill levels, including ramps, stairs, handrails, and a large, hollowed-out concrete bowl designed for street and transition skating.

Other improvements include newly planted trees to provide shade during the summer, additional seating, enhanced lighting, new trash receptacles, and a water fountain equipped with a bottle filler. Accessibility upgrades include ramps ensuring ADA access to various levels of the park.

These additions complement the existing amenities across Seton Park’s 11 acres, which already include baseball and soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts, and a playground.

The upgrades were completed in December 2024, but NYC Parks postponed a planned ribbon-cutting ceremony last week due to frigid temperatures, marking some of the coldest weather the city has experienced in years.

Seton Park occupies the site of a former tuberculosis hospital that operated until the 1950s, closing after widespread vaccinations significantly reduced cases. The park, which opened in the 1970s, is named after Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821).

The renovation was funded by contributions from the City Council, the Bronx Borough President’s Office, the Mayor’s Office, and a state grant from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.