Peek inside the plan for an NYC park that would reshape Midtown waterfront

This casino plan calls for all kinds of green.A massive public waterfront park – roughly the size of Bryant Park – may be coming to Midtown East if a developer gets its Mohegan-backed casino proposal OK’d later this year, The Post has learned.Freedom Plaza, a now-vacant 4.7-acre green space between FDR Drive and the waterfront, would tout an outdoor amphitheater, river promenade, playground and even a museum should the state dole out one of three coveted downstate casino licenses to the project’s developer Soloviev Group by Dec.31.New renderings released Thursday by OJB Landscape Architecture reveal Soloviev’s vision to transform the former Con Ed power plant site into an oasis with a 18,000-square-foot central lawn, 1.2 miles of pathways, scenic “garden room” overlooks and a 700-foot East River Promenade east of First Avenue between 38th and 41st streets.The plan also calls for a 7,000-square-foot children’s play area, 6,000-square-foot “serene retreat” cascading water garden, community center, outdoor amphitheater and six food kiosks.

The developer is set to finance the long-term maintenance, security and cultural programming of the public park, according to a press release.“As fourth-generation residents and neighbors of this community, Soloviev understands the immense value that green spaces bring to urban life,” Soloviev Group CEO Michael Hershman said.“Freedom Plaza is a commitment to creating an inspiring place where memories are made in this wonderful part of the city, with an accessible, and sustainable park for everyone to enjoy.”The waterfront site has found supporters in civic groups like the Manhattan East Community Association, with president Kevin O’Keefe describing the park plans as a “forward-thinking approach that can provide the public with safe and inviting experiences from family-friendly lawn activities to connections with nature.”“The open spaces in our unique, international neighborhood are essential to s...