First replacement park to open in April

Since I’ve been slamming the city and the Yankees for their sluggish pace in rebuilding the South Bronx parkland lost to the new stadium, it’s only right that I recognize some good news about the parks. According to The Daily News, the first replacement park is set open next month, and local community leaders are pleased with its appearance. This park — part of a new soccer field being constructed atop a parking garage — is the first new green space to appear after Macombs Dam Park was shuttered nearly three years ago and will eventually feature, per Bill Egbert, “four handball courts, four basketball courts, grandstand seating, a new comfort station and picnic table terrace.”

While the full park won’t open until 2010 — and other replacement parks are at least two years off — Bronx leaders are glad to see this glimmer of green appear in a construction-filled neighborhood. “If the parks are going to look like what Parks presented to us,” Jose Rodriguez, district manager for Community Board 4, said, “it’s going to be beautiful.”