STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The breathtaking views at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden are now more accessible than ever with the opening of its newest entrance.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Snug Harbor leadership and local elected officials gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the center\u2019s new Kissel Avenue entrance, located near Linden Street, as well as its wetlands boardwalk and viewing platform.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a really happy day for us and the neighbors on the west side [of Snug Harbor], who for a long time had to walk a fair ways to get to a gate to access Snug Harbor,\u201d said Snug Harbor President and CEO Jessica Baker Vodoor.<\/p>\n
The nearly $500,000 project was initially funded in 2019 but experienced various delays associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and a change in contractors. It now offers Staten Islanders an additional entrance to the Snug Harbor grounds and a viewing platform to admire the roughly five acres of wetlands.<\/p>\n
\u201cSnug Harbor remains a jewel and the more we can get people on the campus to enjoy what God has given us with the surroundings here, the better we are,\u201d said Borough President Vito Fossella. \u201cThis is about making things better for the people of Staten Island, coming together, collaborating and doing what\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Snug](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/FMR25SUV7ZHNDABVEHKCU6JAQI.JPG\"\/)
On Monday, October 20, officials from Snug Harbor Cultural Center and local elected representatives gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Kissel Gate and Wetlands Boardwalk and Viewing Platform. The event was also attended by Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Assembly Member Charles Fall, and Borough President Vito Fossella. (Advance\/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCESTATEN ISLAND ADVANCE<\/p>\n
The new gate, boardwalk and viewing platform are all wheelchair accessible, granting those with limited mobility an opportunity to safely access and enjoy the picturesque views.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m no stranger to this neighborhood, I don\u2019t live far away, so I\u2019ve heard from the neighbors for a really long time that they want to be able to have access to Snug Harbor in an easy way. I\u2019m really excited about this. Thank you to my partners in government and thank you to Snug Harbor for always being an amazing cultural center for Staten Island,\u201d said State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.<\/p>\n
Funding for the project came from various sources, including the New York State Regional Economic Development Council, administered by the state Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation\u2019s Environmental Protection Fund, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Booth Ferris Foundation.<\/p>\n
The project was designed by landscape architect Elizabeth Kennedy, with construction completed by Sawera Interiors Corp.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new Snug Harbor Wetlands Boardwalk and Viewing Platform gives Staten Islanders a place to experience of borough\u2019s natural beauty while learning about the critical role wetlands play in protecting our city from flooding and preserving local wildlife. I thank Snug Harbor and the Parks Department for their continued investment in our community,\u201d said Assemblymember Charles Fall.<\/p>\n
![\"Snug](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/UH72WMIPR5GJFKNTMY4P32NKSQ.JPG\"\/)
On Monday, October 20, officials from Snug Harbor Cultural Center and local elected representatives gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Kissel Gate and Wetlands Boardwalk and Viewing Platform. The event was also attended by Martha Neighbors, Executive Vice President at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, Assembly Member Charles Fall, Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, and Laurie Cumbo, Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of New York. (Advance\/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCESTATEN ISLAND ADVANCE<\/p>\n
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