E.M.T. Christopher J. Prescott Playground

21st CENTURY PARK SYSTEM: NYC PARKS CELEBRATES $4 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS TO E.M.T. CHRISTOPHER J. PRESCOTT PLAYGROUND IN HUGUENOT

E.M.T. Christopher J. Prescott Playground is one of more than 800 capital projects completed during Silver tenure—building a more equitable park system for all New Yorkers

NYC Parks Staten Island Borough Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone today joined Staten Island Borough James Oddo, Assembly Member Michael Reilly, City Council Member Joseph Borelli, I.S. 7 Assistant Principal Vincent Verdiglione, Community Board 3 Parks Committee Chair Al Klingele, and the Prescott Family to unveil the complete transformation of E.M.T. Christopher J. Prescott Playground. It is one of more than 800 projects completed under Commissioner Silver’s leadership, advancing the City’s mission to build a more equitable 21st century park system.

“With these transformational upgrades, this community greenspace is now better equipped to meet Staten Island’s recreational needs. We’re thrilled to unveil these new, inclusive amenities that will fully engage children of all ages and abilities in play and help develop their social skills, physical coordination and creativity,” said Commissioner Ricciardone. “We’re grateful to Borough President Oddo and Council Member Borelli for their continued partnership and commitment to providing Staten Islanders with more engaging playgrounds. The revitalized E.M.T. Christopher J. Prescott Playground will continue to serve as an outdoor classroom and special place of remembrance for generations to come.”

"Today's ribbon cutting at Prescott Playground is one that will forever have a special place in the hearts of our Borough Hall family. Since we first decided to try to build a sensory playground, we have been anxiously waiting for its opening. We are so excited to provide a unique place that is specifically designed so that kids of all abilities can enjoy a great Staten Island park in this community," said Borough President James Oddo. "I applaud the efforts of our partners at the Parks Department who used our tax dollars in the best possible way for the community. I thank the many special needs organizations and enthusiastic students at I.S. 7 who provided valuable insight and helped us with the planning. I must tip my hat to Borough Hall’s own, Marie LaFrancesca, our capital construction guru, who, in our internal planning sessions first raised the notion of pursuing a sensory playground. We have built a space that will create joy, fun, and memories for generations to come."

“The renovation of E.M.T. Prescott Playground is something this community needed and I am happy to be able to partner with Borough President Oddo, Parks Commissioner Silver and Parks Borough Commissioner Ricciardone to make this renovation a reality,” said Council Member Joseph Borelli. “It welcomes everyone from the moment you walk in and the sensory equipment, splash pad, and swings will ensure there is something for children.”

The E.M.T. Christopher J. Prescott Playground reconstruction project completely upgraded the existing playground with new, inclusive play structures, swings, a spray play area with stainless steel instruments, and a small quiet area for reflection. New paths, fences, concrete pavements, and safety surfacing were also added to the play area.

The brand new playground boasts new play units and swings that feature engaging sensory equipment to accommodate the needs of children of all ages and abilities. The site now features textured surfaces, patterns, shapes, and musical play panels designed to challenge and develop childrens’ senses.

The $4 million project was funded by a $3.9 million allocation from Staten Island Borough President James Oddo, and $100,000 from Council Member Joseph Borelli.

Prescott Playground, located near I.S. 7, is jointly operated by Parks and the Board of Education. The site is formerly known as Huguenot Playground due to its location off Huguenot Avenue within the neighborhood of the same name. In 1997, it was renamed in honor of Christopher J. Prescott (1972-1994), a Staten Island native who was the first New York City EMS worker to be killed in the line of duty.