Bushwick Playground

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Parks Cuts The Ribbon On Bushwick Playground

Photo by Malcolm Pinckney

On July 20, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined Council Member Erik Martin Dilan, Community Board 4 District Manager Nadine Whitted and children from New Life Child Development Day Camp to cut the ribbon on renovations to Bushwick Playground.

“All across the city, in every neighborhood, we are restoring and expanding the City’s park system,” said Commissioner Benepe. “It is neighborhood parks like Bushwick Playground that help define the quality of life for New Yorkers. With nearly $2.5 million allocated by Council Member Dilan, Mayor Bloomberg, and the State of New York, this playground has been transformed into a community gem.”

Thanks to $1.5 million in capital funding allocated by Council Member Dilan and $729,000 from Mayor Bloomberg, as well as a grant of $200,000 from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, Bushwick Playground has been transformed into a recreational space for all ages. It features new play equipment for toddlers and pre-teens, as well as benches and an adult sitting area. To encourage many different types of physical fitness, there is a new exercise area with equipment for pull-ups, sit-ups and stretching.

A colorful spray shower was added, the basketball courts were reconstructed, and garden areas were planted with flowering shrubs and ground cover throughout the park. This project also includes all new fencing, paving and park lighting.

The landscape architect for this project was Dennis Flynn. The resident engineer was Marilyn Dutes. The contractor was Doyle-Baldante Inc.

Parks will also reconstruct Bushwick Playground’s comfort station with an additional $200,000 in capital funding from Council Member Dilan. The building will be outfitted with an all new exterior and interior and will be upgraded for accessibility.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.”

Anton Chekhov
(1860 – 1904)