Gravesend Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, March 29, 2007

Another Season Of Groundbreakings Has Begun

Photo by Daniel Avila

The first day of spring may have been March 21 but the first day that truly felt like spring was this past Tuesday. On that day, temperatures hit 75 degrees. With the sun shining and birds chirping, Parks & Recreation broke ground on Gravesend Park in Borough Park, Brooklyn. It was also our first groundbreaking event of the 2007 season.

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe was joined at the event by City Council Member Simcha Felder, Borough President Representative Elizabeth Ernish, Community Board 12 Chair Alan Dubrow, Community Board 12 District Manager Wolf Sender, 66th Precinct Captain Peter DeBlasio, fourth graders from P.S. 48 and preschoolers from Shira Head Start. Funding for the over $3 million project was allocated by Council Member Felder.

“New York City’s children deserve the best recreation facilities to develop their bodies and minds. Following this renovation, that is exactly what Gravesend Park will have,” said Commissioner Benepe. “Youngsters will delight in the new playground with adventure play equipment, a play mountain, swings and a spray shower. Parkland is at a premium in Borough Park and we are committed to restoring our open space facilities throughout the community. I am grateful to Council Member Felder for generously allocating over $3 million to make these improvements a reality.”

“This is an exciting moment for this neighborhood,” said Council Member Felder. “Almost in spite of its name, there aren't many parks in Borough Park. I'm proud to have worked with the Parks Department to make sure that the parks that we do have are in good condition and serving the community as best as possible. Today's groundbreaking is further evidence of this commitment and I eagerly anticipate the final product.”

Gravesend Park is being restored to best meet the recreational needs of toddlers and young children. Its reconstruction will include a new playground with adventure play equipment, swings, a spray shower and a play mountain. Tables, benches, brick pier steel fencing, a brick seat wall and garden areas are also included in the project. Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of this fall.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“A minute’s success pays the failures of years.”

Robert Browning
(1812 – 1889)