New Pathway Added to Make St. Vartan Park in Mid-town Wheelchair Accessible

An ADA-compatible pathway has been added to St. Vartan Park. The park near the Queens Midtown Tunnel—one of the larger public parks on Manhattan’s east side— hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new entrance and walkway on Nov. 23.

The new pathway was created by the Soloviev Foundation in collaboration with the St. Vartan Park Conservancy and NYC Adopt-a-Park program, and will provide entry and allow maneuverability for visitors using wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility-assisting devices. The addition of the pathway is the fifth and final phase of the garden’s equity plan, which is “to provide publicly accessible green space for all by prioritizing inclusivity, diversity, mental health and other community needs,” according to the St. Vartan Park Conservancy. The project design is a nod to the original 1930’s planning.

”This new entrance and pathway are a vital step toward ensuring that all visitors, regardless of ability, can fully enjoy the beauty of St. Vartan Park,” said NYC Parks Manhattan Borough Commissioner Tricia Shimamura.

“By prioritizing accessibility, we create an inclusive space where everyone can connect with nature and enjoy the benefits of time outdoors for mental and physical wellbeing. This project is an excellent example of the impact of the NYC Parks Adopt-a-Park program, which enables communities to collaborate in creating more accessible and welcoming public spaces.”

The park is 2.76 acres, and rests between First and Second Avenues and East 35th and 36th Streets. The park is named after the nearby St. Vartan Cathedral of the Armenian Orthodox Church in America. In addition to housing Murray Hill’s biggest playground, the park also offers an athletic field, sports courts, public restrooms, picnic tables, a compost drop-off, and a Little Free Library. The project was conducted through the NYC Parks Adopt-a-Park program, which allows organizations to provide support for the renovation and beautification of parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, and other amenities.

“Through ongoing discussions with the community, an immediate need for the new pathway was identified, which aligns with our foundation’s values and furthers our commitment of helping make a better, more accessible world,” said Michael Hershman, CEO of the Soloviev Group.

In attendance at the ceremony were representatives of St. Vartan Park Conservancy, Manhattan Borough Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, Michael Hershman and Stacey Soloviev of the Soloviev Foundation, disabilities rights advocate Michael Schweinsburg, Congressman Jerry Nadler, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, Assembly Member Alex Bores, and NYC Council Member and parks committee chair Shekar Krishnan, in addition to members of the community, according to a PR representative.

”This new entrance and pathway are a vital step toward ensuring that all visitors, regardless of ability, can fully enjoy the beauty of St. Vartan Park,” said NYC Parks Manhattan Borough Commissioner Tricia Shimamura.

“By prioritizing accessibility, we create an inclusive space where everyone can connect with nature and enjoy the benefits of time outdoors for mental and physical wellbeing.”