Parks committee preview: Hudson River Park programming, Washington Square Conservancy agreement, 388 Hudson proposals and Grand Canal court return

Rich Cacapolo, chair of CB2’s Parks & Waterfront Committee, briefed the executive committee on recent committee items including Hudson River Park’s summer programming, a new licensing agreement between NYC Parks and the Washington Square Park Conservancy, proposals submitted for the 388 Hudson rec‑center opportunity, and a Parks update on the Grand Canal basketball courts.

Cacapolo said Hudson River Park summarized its summer schedule and operations; Washington Square Park’s administrator and the Park Conservancy described a new licensing agreement with NYC Parks. The committee recorded discussion of public comments and some community concern but did not expect a large public outcry at the next meeting.

On 388 Hudson — a development that includes affordable housing and a requested rec center in basement space — Parks staff expected to present proposals received as part of the RFP process. Cacapolo said Parks had pledged to name a selected proposer in June but had not chosen one at the time of the meeting; Parks will report back when proposals have been reviewed.

Parks also expects to present an update on the Grand Canal basketball courts’ restoration schedule and on a Dapolito Center funding line that had prompted public interest. The committee asked staff to confirm which items Parks could discuss publicly and to avoid raising community expectations until proposals and funding positions were firm.

Why it matters: The 388 Hudson site and the Grand Canal courts are neighborhood infrastructure and recreation projects that could affect public recreation access and programming; Washington Square Park’s licensing agreement formalizes a major public–private arrangement.