Mayor Bill de Blasio and Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver yesterday said five more Brooklyn parks would get renovations as the City has doubled the funding for the Community Parks Initiative, a citywide program designed to improve under-funded parks in densely populated neighborhoods with high concentration of poverty.
The Brooklyn parks set to undergo renovations, include Lt. Joseph Petrosino Park in Bensonhurst, Epiphany Playground in Williamsburg, Lafayette Playground in Gravesend, Newport Playground in Brownsville, and Bergen Beach Playground in Bergen Beach.
“I’m thrilled to hear that Epiphany Playground will be receiving the investment it deserves thanks to the expansion of the Community Parks Initiative. Parks, open spaces and playgrounds are vital community assets that improve health and quality of life in our neighborhoods while providing a place for New Yorkers to meet and play together,” said Northern Brooklyn City Council Member Stephen Levin.
“This initiative is a unique opportunity for residents to participate in coming up with a redesign that reflects and enhances what makes Epiphany Playground special to them and their neighbors. Community-driven design is an exciting avenue for public engagement and I look forward to seeing what comes out of this process,” he added.
The Community Parks Initiative now has $285 million in capital dollars, in addition to the over $2.5 million annual commitment, for the renovation of 67 community parks.
In 2014, the Mayor announced 35 of the 67 parks to be renovated, all of which are on time and on budget, according to the release.
“Every New Yorker deserves access to clean, safe green spaces, no matter what neighborhood they live in. By doubling our investment in historically underserved neighborhood parks, we are significantly improving the quality of life of families and children across this city,” said de Blasio. “Our sustained investments in additional neighborhood parks will expand the Community Parks Initiative’s impact to 3 million New Yorkers – ensuring countless more families and children will have a revitalized park right in their neighborhood.”
In addition to the capital improvements, immediate improvements to the park were implemented as well. In early September, 11 Brooklyn parks underwent targeted improvements. These parks now feature new basketball hoops and sports surfacing for safer play. Handball courts were re-painted. Fountains, benches, and sports equipment were repaired. Comfort stations were upgraded. Greenery was planted around the parks to complete their new look.
Additionally, city council investments renewed the $2.98 million in funding for gardeners, maintenance workers and community partnership. As a result, parks in need will receive operating support in addition to the capital investments. Additional staff and resources will be provided to assist with community outreach, capital and planning, recreational programming, and park maintenance.
The Community Parks Initiative provides programming across New York City parks in an effort to bring communities together. These programs include Kids in Motion, Summer Sports Experience and Shape Up NYC. Over 500,000 New Yorkers have participated in these programs.
“We all know about the big parks in our neighborhoods, and, as elected officials, we are able to give these parks much of the financial attention they need to keep our grass green and our local sports teams happy. But what happens to those smaller, quieter parks we have come to appreciate because we can just get up from our homes, walk over to them, and relax? I’m talking about that park you know that’s right down the street where you go to be at peace outside for a couple of hours,” said Bay Ridge Council Member Vincent J. Gentile. “Parks like that need to be cared for too, and that’s why I’m very happy to have my district participate in the Community Parks Initiative. One of the smaller, but no less valued, parks in my district, Lt. Joseph Petrosino Park, will be receiving $4.5 million to make sure that it stays current. This is a step in the right direction to bring all of New York City’s parks into view, the big picture we’ve been waiting for.”
