Park Remediation and Improvements
The City of Corning is actively working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on soil remediation and future facility improvements at McKinney, Hillvue, William Street, and Denison Parks. DEC is currently in the remediation phase and is expected to begin construction activities related to that work during the summer of 2026. Additional information regarding DEC’s efforts is available on their project page linked below.
At the same time, the City has completed the planning and conceptual design phase for upgraded park facilities at McKinney, Hillvue, and William Street Parks through the work of Chiuten Trowbridge Landscape Architects. Those plans are posted below. Once DEC completes the remediation work, City staff will begin planning for construction of the park improvements.
The City is working with Barton & Loguidice on the implementation of green infrastructure improvements at Denison Park that will begin in the summer of 2026.
In the interim, the City continues to identify and pursue funding opportunities, including the submission of grant applications to New York State. The City appreciates the public’s patience throughout this process. While the remediation and redevelopment effort is complex and will take time to complete, these investments are intended to provide long-term environmental, recreational, and quality-of-life benefits for the community. The City looks forward to ultimately reopening these improved park facilities for public use. The public can expect to see initial facility improvements implemented in 2027.
Submitted Grant Applications:
NYS Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant Program (Submitted February 2026, pending): The City submitted a grant application for $900,000 for McKinney Park to complete the first phase of improvements. The proposed project will include a new accessible playground, a walking path around the park, field drainage improvements, and green infrastructure improvements. It is anticipated that the State will make grant announcements in the summer 2026.
NYPLAYS Grant (Submitted May 2026, pending): The City submitted a grant application for $250,000 for new playgrounds at Hillvue and William Street Parks. An announcement from the State for this grant is anticipated August 2026.