Asser Levy Playground

NYC Parks Cuts The Ribbon On Enhanced And Enlarged Asser Levy Playground

NYC PARKS CUTS THE RIBBON ON ENHANCED AND ENLARGED ASSER LEVY PLAYGROUND

On Friday, January 30, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, joined Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, City Council Member Daniel Garodnick, State Senators Brad Hoylman and Liz Krueger, Manhattan Community Board 6 Chair Sandro Sherrod, United Nations Development Corp. Vice President Frances Huppert and Senior Vice President Rob Cole, and neighborhood residents to cut the ribbon on the newly enhanced and enlarged Asser Levy Playground.

The project was funded with allocations of $1,175,000 from City Council Member Daniel Garodnick, $500,000 from the UN Development Corporation, and $670,000 from the Mayor’s Office.

"NYC Parks is pleased to have transformed an underutilized former roadway into a vibrant park," said Commissioner Silver. "Thanks to funds from Council Member Garodnick, the UN Development Corporation, and the Mayor’s Office, New Yorkers of all ages and abilities will enjoy the new recreational amenities created at Asser Levy Playground."

“It’s a rare and special occasion when we can reclaim an underused street in our dense, crowded city and build a beautiful facility the whole community can enjoy,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “I applaud my colleagues in government for getting this project done, dramatically improving and expanding a public space in a neighborhood that’s sure to make great use of it.”

“In a community starved for open space and recreational areas, it is a wonderful thing to be able to make a park bigger,” said Congresswoman Maloney. “Asser Levy Place has long been an oasis for this neighborhood, but a small oasis. Now the park is something truly remarkable. It is a play space for adults and children; it has a new running track, a new field, new tables and benches. With the help of Councilman Garodnick, the UN Development Corporation who provided the funding, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Economic Development Corporation who provided the leadership and vision to get the work done, we now have a beautiful park space to enjoy for years to come.”

"It is not easy to find open space on the East Side of Manhattan, but here we've turned an underused street into a beautiful new park," said Council Member Dan Garodnick. "I am very grateful for our Parks Department for making this happen in just 15 months."

“I commend Council Member Dan Garodnick for securing over $1 million to enhance Asser Levy Playground as well as my other colleagues in government, NYC Parks Department, United Nations Development Corporation and CB6 for their collaboration and commitment in expanding a beloved park,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman. “This open space is a wonderful addition to the community on the East Side and will greatly enhance our neighbors' quality of life.”

"I’m so pleased that this brand new park is open for the community to enjoy,” said Senator Liz Krueger. “It provides much needed outdoor amenities in a neighborhood with an acute shortage of open space. Thanks to CB 6 and all my elected colleagues on the east side for negotiating this transformational win for a new city park. Thanks to the Parks Department and Commissioner Silver for transforming a paved street into a great multi-use, full-year park."

This new park space contains a diverse mix of outdoor recreational opportunities. Neighborhood residents and visitors will be able to play ping pong, badminton, chess, soccer, football, t-ball, exercise, jog, practice yoga or enjoy some shaded seating on a former two-block-long street. New park features include a synthetic turf field, exercise track, adult fitness equipment, benches, tables, drinking fountains, park lighting and trees.

New park amenities are located at the former underutilized two-block stretch of road, known as Asser Levy Place, adjacent to Asser Levy Playground and Asser Levy Recreation Center and Pool. It serves as the replacement for parkland alienated through the development of a new United Nations building at Robert Moses Playground.