Tricentennial Park

Grand Opening: Summer 2025*

Tricentennial Park is an urban park in Albany, New York built to commemorate that city's three hundredth anniversary as an incorporated city and is the site of several statues and monuments. The park encompasses the entire block bounded by Broadway to the east, Columbia Street to the north, James Street to the west, and Steuben Street to the south. First proposed in 1914 it was built in 1986 as part of the tricentennial celebrations of Albany's incorporation as a city in association with the renovation of the Albany Union Station.

Tricentennial Park

Historic Features

  • City Seal Sculpture (1986) The first monument installed was a bronze replica of Albany’s official city seal, created by Times Union cartoonist Hy Rosen.
  • Mayor Thomas Whalen III Statue (2005) Also designed by Hy Rosen, this sculpture features Albany’s 73rd mayor seated on a bench beside his golden retriever, Finn McCool.
  • Albany–Tula Sister Cities Globe (2011) A metal globe sculpture, designed by Steve Kroeger, displays Albany, NY and Tula, Russia, linked by a bridge to symbolize their international sister city relationship.

Why Reconstruction is Needed

Since its creation in 1986, Tricentennial Park has been a beloved green space in the heart of Downtown Albany. But like any 40-year-old park, it’s showing signs of age—both above and below the surface.

The most pressing concern is a growing issue of subsidence, or ground sinking. A geotechnical study conducted in 2023 found that when the park was originally built over a demolished parking lot, much of the construction debris was left in the foundations. Over time, that buried material has broken down, creating soft spots and uneven surfaces—most noticeably the “pit” near the back of the park. These conditions not only impact accessibility and safety but also make the space less welcoming to the public.

The reconstruction project aims to completely rebuild the park’s foundation to ensure long-term stability. On the surface, the overhaul will include:

  • New paving throughout to eliminate dips and trip hazards

  • New trees, benches, and landscaping to refresh and green the space

  • Upgraded lighting

  • And improved layout and accessibility features based on community feedback

This is more than a facelift—it’s a full reset of one of Albany’s most iconic public spaces. Construction is scheduled to continue through June 15, 2025, weather permitting. And while nearby residents have been getting up close and personal with woodchippers and early morning construction noise (we see you!), the end result will be a safer, more beautiful, and more functional park for everyone.

Tricentennial Park Rendering

Re-Envisioning Tricentennial Park

This project goes beyond just repairs. We're taking this opportunity to re-envision the future of Tricentennial Park—transforming it into a safer, more beautiful, and accessible destination for all.

Project Goals:

  • Stabilize the ground surface to eliminate ongoing settlement issues

  • Create a modern park layout rooted in community feedback

  • Preserve and highlight historic features

  • Improve accessibility, materials, and long-term sustainability

Questions?

City Project Manager:
William J. Lecuyer, P.E.
City of Albany Department of Engineering
(518) 434-5490
wlecuyer@albanyny.gov