Half-Nelson Playground

Parks Cuts Ribbon On Half-Nelson Playground

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
No. 59
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Commissioner Benepe today joined community members to cut the ribbon on $1.7 million in improvements to Half-Nelson Playground. Community Board 5 District Manager Xavier Rodriguez, Community Board 5 Parks Committee Chairperson Kathryn Speller, Reverend Lonnie Bryant of the Featherbed Lane Presbyterian Church, and youth from the adjacent Nelson Avenue Family Residence joined the celebration. The 5th grade choir from nearby P.S. 204 provided a concert.

“With new play equipment, a basketball court, seating areas, and beautiful landscaping, Half-Nelson Playground now offers kids of all ages in the community a safe and fun place to play,” said Commissioner Benepe. “We are grateful to Mayor Bloomberg and Council Member Helen Diane Foster for allocating funding to make this capital project possible.”

The $1.7 million project was funded by $1.4 million allocated by Council Member Foster and 286,000 in Mayoral Funds.

The playground was reconstructed with new play equipment, unique optical illusion games, a spray shower area, basketball court, fencing, and seating area. The drainage system was reconstructed and a new accessible drinking fountain was installed. Stone wall terraces were carved into the existing hillside to prevent erosion and beautify the natural grassy slope, while landscaping and shrubs complete the renovation.

Since Mayor Bloomberg took office in 2002, Parks has spent more than $154 million on 127 park improvement projects in the Bronx. Parks currently has 41 projects representing $296 million in construction and another 75 projects representing $245 million in design/bidding.

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