Colucci Playground

NYC PARKS OFFICIALLY OPENS BRAND NEW ADULT FITNESS AREA AT COLUCCI PLAYGROUND IN THE BRONX

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined State Assembly Member Michael Benedetto and Bronx Community Board 10 Parks Chair Terence Franklin to officially unveil the brand new adult fitness equipment area at Colucci Playground in the Bronx.

“With the addition of the new adult fitness equipment at Colucci Playground, we remain steadfast in our commitment to make this city’s park spaces serve the needs of everyday New Yorkers,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver. “Thanks to an investment from Mayor de Blasio and the city council, I’m thrilled to unveil this new fitness equipment, giving the neighborhood a wonderful new amenity that will help promote healthy lifestyle choices for years to come.”

“I am proud to have followed and supported the latest addition to Colucci Park from construction to completion. The new adult fitness section of the park, outfitted with plenty of resistance exercise structures and game tables, will promote the health and well-being of local Bronxites, and the city at large, well into the future,” commented City Council Member Mark Gjonaj.

The project created a brand new adult fitness area in Colucci Playground, with a double chest press, pull up bars, parallel bars, a multi-net link, and more! New benches and game tables have also been installed, and new landscaping has been provided to enhance the overall appearance of the site. In addition, a new drainage system, water supply, and drinking fountain have also been added.

The $1.1 million project was funded with $144,000 from Mayor Bill de Blasio, and $1 million from former City Council Member James Vacca with continued support from City Council Member Mark Gjonaj.

This playground is named for community activist Florence Colucci (1921-1982), a resident of Pelham Bay for more than 38 years who worked tirelessly on behalf of her neighborhood. Through her weekly column in the local newspaper, The News Sentinel, Colucci also became known as “The Voice of Pelham Bay”. One of Colucci’s community efforts centered on lobbying for the construction of a multipurpose playground on this lot.