Dome Playground

The Daily Plant : Thursday, May 5, 2016

NYC Parks Cuts The Ribbon On Phase I Of Renovations To Dome Playground

Daniel Avila

First phase of improvements has transformed the playground with all-new features and more space

Earlier this week, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, joined Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna, City Council Member Brad Lander, Community Board 12 District Manager Barry Spitzer and neighbors to cut the ribbon on the first phase of renovations to Dome Playground, which has doubled the size of the space.

“With the first phase of reconstruction completed, Dome Playground has already been transformed,” said Commissioner Silver. “The play area has doubled in size, giving the children of this neighborhood ample room to play, and a new seating area will provide community members with a gathering space. The local input on the design was crucial to creating a space that responds to the needs of this neighborhood, and we are thankful to Council Member Lander and Borough President Adams for their generous partnership.”

“Families in Borough Park and Kensington deserve not only a playground but a beautiful playground, with equipment and amenities that allow every member of the family to enjoy hours of recreation there,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. “I am proud to have worked with Council Member Lander, NYC Parks, and members of the community to create a space that inspire the imaginations of all the children who play there.”

“With the first phase of this renovation completed, Dome Playground is reopening as a neighborhood treasure for all ages,” said Council Member Brad Lander. “The kids of Kensington and Borough Park needed more room to play, so today we’re cutting the ribbon on a play area that’s doubled in size, and a first phase of a renovation that will make the whole park better for the neighborhood. The second phase of the renovation should start later this year. I’m very thankful to NYC Parks for incorporating the diverse voices of these great neighborhoods throughout the renovation process. Thanks to Borough President Adams for co-funding this project with me; to Commissioner Mitchell Silver, Borough Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey, and Borough Chief-of-Staff Marty Maher for working with us to listen to community voices; to Community Board 12 Chair Yidel Perlstein and District Manager Barry Spitzer for their partnership; and to community leaders like Jole Carliner, Annie Ferdous, and Mamnunul Huq for helping to organize community members to take part in the planning process. I’m thrilled with the beautiful transformation of this space, and I can’t wait to see the handball and basketball courts completed in Phase II.”

This first phase of construction at the playground consisted of $2.75 million in improvements, funded by generous allocations of $1.8 million from Council Member Brad Lander and $950,000 from Borough President Eric Adams.

With extensive design input from the community, this project is just the beginning of the transformation of this park. The new space offers swings and exciting new play equipment for children of all ages. Trees and new landscaping beautify the park and the new grass and seating area provide a gathering space for community events and passive recreation. New pavement, lighting, drinking fountains, drainage, plantings and benches complete the transformation of the open space.

Council Member Lander also funded $1 million for a second phase of renovations to Dome Playground, which is slated to begin construction within the year and will reconstruct handball and basketball courts, add new adult fitness equipment, an accessible entrance, and perimeter landscaping to the park.

Situated on the northeast corner of 38th Street and Dahill Road, Dome Playground is named in honor of community activists Charles (1904-1984) and Jessie Dome (1904-1987). Long-time residents of Borough Park, Brooklyn, the Domes devoted themselves to improving their community. Charles Dome served on Community Board 12 and was the founding member and first chairman of the Roosevelt Democratic Club. He also had the honor of serving as a presidential elector. Charles Dome’s service was not limited to politics, however; he served on the Board of Trustees of Temple Emmanu-El in Borough Park. Jessie Dome worked as a teacher in the New York City Public School system for 35 years. For over 15 years, she also volunteered at Maimonides Hospital. With her husband, Jessie Dome attended Temple Emmanu-El in Borough Park, where she was a member of the synagogue’s Sisterhood. The Domes were married for over 50 years and raised two sons.