Date: Mar 1, 2026 New York, NY — Community Board 12-Manhattan has unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to reopen Dolphin Park, a beloved playground and sprinkler park in Washington Heights. The resolution passed 35-0-0-0 at the board’s General Committee meeting on January 27, 2026.
A Neighborhood Gem on Port Authority Land
Dolphin Park — officially known as George Washington Bridge Park — is a playground and sprinkler area designed for preschoolers and their caregivers, located at 180th Street and Cabrini Boulevard. The park sits on Port Authority-owned land originally acquired during the 1960s for bridge entrance ramps. It takes its nickname from a water-spouting dolphin statue that has long been a favorite among neighborhood children. The New York Times profiled the park and the community’s efforts to see it reopened.
The park was last renovated in 2015 through a partnership between the Port Authority, which funded the project and provides basic maintenance, and the 181st Street Beautification Project, which manages daily operations. At its busiest, the park drew more than 100 visitors on summer afternoons and served as a vital community gathering space.
Why Was Dolphin Park Closed?
Dolphin Park was closed around 2019 when the Port Authority began its multi-billion-dollar “Restore the George” rehabilitation project on the George Washington Bridge. The park, which sits adjacent to the bridge’s pedestrian and bicycle path entrance, was shuttered along with other nearby infrastructure during the years-long construction effort.
When the bridge’s rebuilt shared-use path reopened in February 2023, neighbors expected the playground would follow. Instead, the gate remained locked. The Port Authority stated it had been “working on identifying an organization that can safely and efficiently operate this playground so it can reopen,” but years passed without progress — frustrating families and community advocates who remembered the park as a vital gathering space for young children in the neighborhood.
What Is a Community Board Resolution?
A community board resolution is a formal statement adopted by a vote of the full board expressing an official position on an issue affecting the district. While resolutions are advisory rather than legally binding, they carry significant weight as an expression of community consensus and are directed to the relevant city, state, or federal agencies responsible for taking action. Resolutions are one of the primary ways community boards advocate on behalf of their residents.
The Resolution
The resolution passed unanimously, underscoring the community’s strong support for restoring this neighborhood resource. The full text of the resolution is available to read here.
What’s Next
With the Port Authority’s commitment to a Spring 2026 reopening, residents can look forward to the return of Dolphin Park in the coming months. CB12M will continue to work with the Port Authority to ensure the park is restored and accessible to the families of Washington Heights.
For more information about CB12M resolutions and upcoming meetings, visit cbmanhattan.cityofnewyork.us/cb12.