If City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Coney Island, Sea Gate) is successful in his rumored run for borough president in 2021, than Brooklynites should expect major improvemnets to its parks.
That after Treyger announced his district received a $4 million windfall from the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) capital budget for parks in and his 47th Council District. This brings a grand total of nearly $35 million for parks projects in Southern Brooklyn since he first took office about six years ago.
“I have made it a priority to ensure that parks in our community are finally receiving the care and investment that has been missing for years,” said Treyger. “The children, seniors, and families of Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Gravesend and Sea Gate deserve to have the same access to beautiful, well-maintained green and recreational spaces that other New Yorkers are able to enjoy, and I am proud to have worked hard with a number of committed partners to secure the kind of significant funding necessary to make that possible.
Below is a list of the Parks-related projects that Council Member Treyger has been able to secure investments for, some already complete, some ongoing, and some that will be getting underway soon.
Lafayette Playground (Bay 43rd Street & Benson Avenue in Gravesend), and Scarangella Park (Stillwell Avenue, between Avenue U and Avenue V – across the street from Lafayette Playground):
Treyger said when NYC Parks originally introduced its Community Parks Initiative to revitalize a number of parks across the five boroughs, southern Brooklyn was initially left out. He than engaged in an advocacy push to reverse decades of neglect for outer borough green and recreational spaces, and got Lafayette Playground added to the program while securing a $5.4 million investment for a full upgrade to the space. He also secured $2.25 million in the FY 19 budget for Scarangella Park with the help of partners including Senator Diane J. Savino and Assemblymember William Colton.
Lafayette Playground, a simple triangular space topped with asphalt, will be completely redesigned to include lush greenery and resources for multiple uses to meet requests gathered during a community input pre-design phase. Construction is expected to be complete by the Spring of 2019.
Scarangella Park’s dated playground equipment will be replaced with brand new, modern equipment, and a new comfort station, meeting a long-standing request from local residents. The project is tentatively scheduled to be complete by 2020.
McDonald Playground (McDonald Avenue and Avenue S, Gravesend) will see an investment of $4 million – which Treyger secured in partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz, and former Council Member David Greenfield – to make safety enhancements, reconstruct and expand the playground space, replace dated, worn equipment, and renovate basketball and handball courts.
West Playground Comfort Station (Avenue Z, between West 1st Street and West Street, Gravesend): Construction is expected to begin this fall on a brand new comfort station as a result of $1.8 million in funding that Treyger secured.
Ocean Parkway Malls Reconstruction (Belt Parkway and Oceanview Avenue, Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Graveend): Treyger worked with Adams to secure a $1.4 million investment to reconstruct the Ocean Parkway Malls between the Belt Parkway and Oceanview Avenue, a project completed in 2014. In FY2019, Treyger, in partnership with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, secured $1.5 million to renovate more of the Ocean Parkway Malls, including repairing and adding new asphalt for bicycle paths and new concrete for pedestrian paths, new benches, repairs to railing and signage, and tree/plant maintenance.
Poseidon Playground and Nautilus Playground (Coney Island): After Treyger secured almost $2 million to repair and renovate these two dated Boardwalk-adjacent playgrounds, both of which suffered significant damage in 2012 as a result of Superstorm Sandy, work was completed in 2017, including new basketball courts with bleachers, play equipment, comfort station renovation, safety surfacing and fencing, repair of benches, asphalt paving, landscaping and the installation of accessible drinking fountains.
Surf Playground (Coney Island): Treyger, in partnership with Mayor Bill de Blasio, has secured nearly $3 million in funding to renovate and redesign Surf Playground, located on Surf Avenue, between West 25th and West 27th Streets, including the installation of new swings, play equipment, safety surfacing, pavement, benches, drainage and water systems, drinking fountains, and landscaping was completed in 2016. Treyger also worked with advocates to secure a $2.5 million community grant in 2017 to fund the second phase of the project, which will begin in the Fall of 2019, for the installation of playground equipment for children with special needs, the reconstruction of two full basketball courts and a synthetic turf conversion with a walking track.
Lindy Park (9): Sea Gate’s beach-based playground was sadly destroyed in 2012 by Superstorm Sandy. Treyger worked to connect the Sea Gate Association with Kaboom!, a national nonprofit organization that helps communities build playgrounds for children, and Disney to secure funding for brand new playground equipment. Treyger joined teams from Kaboom!, Disney, and over 200 Sea Gate resident volunteers to build the beautiful new playground, which includes a new jungle gym, slide, swings, bounce-safe playground flooring, and more.
Calvert Vaux Park/Playground: Treyger worked de Blasio, former Council Member Vincent Gentile, and current Council Member Justin Brannan to secure additional funding for a new comfort station at Calvert Vaux. The investment, which totals $6.05 million, includes a new parks headquarters and storage for local athletic leagues which make use of Calvert Vaux’s varied fields.
“As this funding continues to clean up, modernize, and enhance our parks and playgrounds, I encourage local residents to get out there and take advantage of the wonderful natural resources available right here in our own backyard,” said Treyger.
