Ocean Breeze Park & Athletic Complex

athletic events, drawing competitors from around the region. The elite-level hydraulically-banked competition track can convert from eight to six lanes and incline up to 4.5 feet. The facility boasts commanding views of the nearby Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and the Freedom Tower in lower Manhattan. The warm-up area features fitness and cardio rooms, and there's a covered parking lot that accommodates160 cars. NYC Parks worked with track and field professionals and community groups throughout the planning process and continues to work with local partners to explore youth and adult programming opportunities. In keeping with the sustainability goals of PlaNYC, Parks and DDC are seeking a LEED Silver rating for the building, and have incorporated features to conserve energy and water into the design. Sustainable features for the building include geothermal heating and cooling, displacement ventilation, harvesting of storm water to recharge surrounding wetlands, a "cool" roof and recycled materials. In addition, the building will take advantage of the cool ocean breezes to provide natural ventilation for the majority of the year. Natural daylight harvested through skylights, windows, light shelves and clerestories will either eliminate or supplement the necessity for artificial lighting much of the time. The surrounding sand dunes, wetlands, grasslands, and shrub forest comprising much of Ocean Breeze Park will be preserved.