Skip to main content

Author: Site Adminstrator

The World’s Largest Landfill To Be Reimagined As NYC’s Second Largest Park

Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue recently opened the North Park section of Freshkills Park in Staten Island. It’s the first section of the site to be opened to the public, and once fully developed will be reimagined as the second-largest park in the five boroughs.

The area, once the largest landfill site in the world, served as the dumping ground for the city’s residential garbage since 1948 before closing in 2001. Construction on Freshkills Park first began in 2008.

Supported by over $2 million in funding, park amenities to be installed include a bird observation tower, a wetland overlook deck, a tree nursery for native species, a series of pedestrian and cycling pathways, a composting toilet, and a public parking lot.

Freshkills North Park implements the city’s Waterfront Revitalization Program, a plan that works to revitalize the city’s waterfront. The use of solar panels and a composting restroom also represents a major step to advance NYC Parks’ goal of promoting environmental responsibility.

Mayor Adams and others cutting the ribbon at Freshkills Park
Source / NYC Mayors Office

“North Park within the Freshkills Park is a restoration of urban ecology while providing increased access to the waterfront and spectacular views of the creeks, wetlands, and wildlife for residents and visitors of Staten Island to enjoy for generations to come,” stated NYS Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez.

Mayor Adams added:

I vowed before taking office that…Staten Island would no longer be the forgotten borough – and with today’s opening of the first section of Freshkills Park, we continue to deliver on that promise by providing Staten Islanders with another place to exercise, breathe fresh air, and be outside. What was once an eyesore is now becoming a world-class park that will serve the residents of this borough for generations to come, and that will, once fully complete, become the second largest park within the five boroughs.

Considering various outdoor areas throughout NYC have been closing due to damage, such as parts of Central Park’s Great Lawn and the Prospect Park Zoo, we’ll definitely welcome new outdoor spaces!

The park is being built in phases and is scheduled to be completed in 2036.

The post The World’s Largest Landfill To Be Reimagined As NYC’s Second Largest Park appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

The Pepsi 125 Diner Has Opened Its Doors In SoHo

After much anticipation, The Pepsi 125 Diner has finally opened its doors in SoHo! The pop-up experience, produced by Fever, that has arrived in NYC celebrates 125 years of Pepsi, offering guests a chance to immerse themselves in the beloved soda brand’s past, present, and future.

Although tickets for The Pepsi 125 Diner are nearly sold out, we’re giving you an inside look into the spectacular immersive event. Read on for our full review of The Pepsi 125 Diner!

When you enter The Pepsi 125 Diner, the fun kicks off with an interactive taste test: the Pepsi Challenge. You might not know this, but in the 70s, Pepsi launched a nationwide promotion where supermarket shoppers were asked to blind taste two leading colas and pick their favorite. Pepsi consistently came out on top and so the Pepsi challenge was born! This was a chance for us to try it for ourselves, and if you’re curious about what our verdict was, don’t be – the blind taste test doesn’t lie! 

Once you’ve taken the Pepsi challenge, it’s time to venture through a dazzling neon archway into The Pepsi Museum. Here you can explore a gallery of rare Pepsi memorabilia, along with photo ops and set recreations inspired by iconic Pepsi pop culture moments and commercials. Channel your inner Cindy Crawford at the Halfway Cafe from her legendary ‘90s commercial, or try on a gladiator helmet and strike a pose as your best Queen B for Pepsi! 

After carousing some wow-worthy pop culture archives, the Innovation Corner awaits with samples of limited edition Pepsi flavors.  If you’ve been craving a taste of nostalgia, this is the place for you. Here you can try an array of flavors no longer available in stores, including Crystal Pepsi, Pepsi-Cola Soda Shop, and Pepsi Blue.

Finally, you take your seat at the Pepsi Diner – a red and blue wonderland featuring different Pepsi themed booths, tons of neon, and classic diner decor with a twist. The Pepsi vibes are even complete with a killer playlist inspired by previous halftime shows and Pepsi commercials…that means as much Britney as your heart desires! 

The Pepsi 125 Diner menu itself is one for the ages, each course packed with Pepsi culinary innovations. You can choose your preferred appetizers, entrees, and desserts, along with bottomless Pepsi soft drinks. From fries served with Colachup (that’s Pepsi-infused ketchup) to mouthwatering Pepsi pulled pork, this taste-it-to-believe-it menu is certainly an unforgettable one.

We personally couldn’t resist the option of breakfast for dinner, so we ordered the “More Than OK” Chicken & Waffles entree! This diner staple definitely hit the spot, complete with Pepsi-infused maple syrup and Pepsi-infused butter. We also washed it down with Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola, an indulgent, caramel-y complement to a savory meal. 

During your meal you can take part in Pepsi trivia, and also purchase Pepsi cocktails and mocktails from the Pepsi bar. This creative drink menu places classic Pepsi flavors center stage, and trust us when we say there’s something for everyone. Some standouts include the Pepsi Wild Cherry Fizz, a fruity blend of cherry and lemonade, and the Zero Worries, a bold take on rum and Pepsi – both available as mocktails.

For those who want to grab a memento of their visit to The Pepsi 125 Diner, you can purchase Pepsi apparel and merchandise to take home with you.

We loved our visit to The Pepsi 125 Diner! We had a blast immersing ourselves in every era of Pepsi, surrounded by iconic Pepsi memorabilia, pop culture moments, and one-of-a-kind cuisine.


The Pepsi 125 Diner

The post The Pepsi 125 Diner Has Opened Its Doors In SoHo appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here