Penn Triangle

PENN TRIANGLE TO UNDERGO $1.7 MILLION TRANSFORMATION AS PART OF NYC PARKS’ COMMUNITY PARKS INITIATIVE

The site designed by Prospect Park Alliance has not seen a substantial investment in decades

NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Maher today joined Prospect Park Alliance President Sue Donoghue, City Council Member Stephen Levin, President of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn Rabbi David Niederman, members of Community Board 1, and community members to break ground on the reconstruction of Penn Triangle— a Community Parks Initiative (CPI) site.

“This groundbreaking marks a huge win for this community as we work to improve this playground for all to enjoy,” said Commissioner Maher. “We thank our partners at the Prospect Park Alliance for this design and the community for their advocacy. We look forward to cutting the ribbon on this play space next fall.”

"Prospect Park Alliance has an award-winning team of landscape architects and designers, and we're pleased to be able to share our expertise to help create this playground in the Williamsburg community," said Sue Donoghue, President of Prospect Park Alliance. "Penn Triangle will feature play equipment desired by the community, while also enhancing the landscape by adding new trees, lighting, and benches. We hope it will serve as a model for future New York City playgrounds."

“Breaking ground on a new park is one of the best things we can do as a city. Providing green open space benefits everyone and the residents of South Williamsburg will be able to enjoy Penn Triangle for years to come. Thanks to Mayor de Blasio, the Parks Department and the Prospect Park Alliance for making this happen. The Community Parks Initiative is helping to transform our open spaces in underserved communities which improves the health and well-being of everyone”, said Council Member Stephen Levin.

"This much needed revitalization will make Penn Triangle a terrific resource for our community. I thank the Mayor and the Parks Department for focusing on local neighborhood parks, Councilmember Steve Levin and Community Board 1 and local advocates for ensuring that residents’ voices are included in the design, and the Prospect Park Alliance, stewards of one of the world's greatest parks, for bringing their expertise to this important public space,” said New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh.

The site was designed pro bono by the Prospect Park Alliance (PPA) as part of their commitment to CPI. It is one of three CPI projects designed by PPA including Stroud Playground and Epiphany Playground. Upon completion, it will feature new plantings, a play area with new play equipment and safety surfacing, new seating areas, and a drinking fountain. The project was funded by Mayor Bill de Blasio in the amount of $1.7 million. Construction is expected to be complete in the upcoming fall.

The triangular park was originally developed as a sitting area as part of the construction of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The playground was constructed on the site in 1996, and this new reconstruction project is the first significant capital investment this park has undergone since then. The park is named for the adjacent Penn Street.

Launched by Mayor de Blasio in October 2014, CPI is a multi-faceted, $318 million investment in neighborhood/local parks that are located in New York City’s densely populated and growing neighborhoods with higher-than-average concentrations of poverty. CPI is NYC Parks' first major equity initiative and part of the Mayor’s OneNYC: The Plan for a Strong and Just City.