On October 12, Senator Serrano joined NYC Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff, Deputy Bronx Borough President Marricka Scott-McFadden, Assembly Member Amanda Septimo, Rumal Rackley- son of Gil Scott-Heron, and community members to cut the ribbon on Phase Two of the ongoing reconstruction of St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx and officially rename the Amphitheater to honor trailblazing jazz poet, musician and author, Gil Scott-Heron. 

Phase Two of the $19.6 million Anchor Parks project at St. Mary’s Park will reconfigure the performance area with amphitheater seating, add new plants to increase biodiversity, install new security lighting, update the drainage system, renovate the 149th Street Plaza with new seating, and reconfigure wheelchair accessible paths. Phase One, due to be completed next Spring, includes two reconstructed ballfields, sports event seating, an improved dog run, new lighting, an ADA accessible seating area, and new landscape upgrades.