Soak up the lingering summer sun while you still can! If you’re in North Brooklyn, there’s (finally) a new waterfront park for you to do just that.

The Mayor’s office recently announced the opening of the $12 million redevelopment of WNYC Transmitter Park along the East River in Brooklyn. The project includes 1.6 acres of open space and increased access to the Greenpoint waterfront. Located on the site of the former WNYC radio transmission towers, the new park includes a children’s play area, a pedestrian bridge, and nature gardens.

Area residents agitated for a summer opening date and they will have to wait even longer for the full completion of the park. As part of a 2005 rezoning agreement, the Bloomberg administration promised North Brooklyn residents over 54 acres of open space throughout Greenpoint and Williamsburg. Here’s hoping this opening is just the first step in the restoration of community and open spaces throughout the city.

[Coming soon in City Atlas: an interview with Claire Weisz of WXY Studio, designers for the park.]

Image: Daniel Avila, via  NYC Parks