Henry M. Jackson Playground

NYC PARKS COMMENCES WORK ON FIRST TWO MANHATTAN PARKS TO BE RECONSTRUCTED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY PARKS INITIATIVE

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined Council Member Rosie Mendez, Assembly Member Alice Cancel, Principal of PS 134 Daniel Kim, and Chair of Community Board 3 Parks Committee Trever Holland to break ground on the first Manhattan parks to be reconstructed under the Community Parks Initiative (CPI), Sol Lain Playground and Henry M. Jackson Playground. Both parks are receiving major capital investments for the first time in more than 20 years. Designs for these projects were based on feedback gathered directly from the community at public scoping sessions. The two projects announced today represent a total of $5.5 million to be invested in improving open space on the Lower East Side.

“When a community park gets the care and investment that it needs, the neighborhood becomes a better place to live,” said Commissioner Silver. “We are proud to begin work on two major overhauls that will give community members in the Lower East Side the high-quality parks that they deserve.”

"Today’s groundbreaking at Sol Lain and Henry M. Jackson Playgrounds is a step forward for parks equity and bringing more quality open space to the Lower East Side and under-resourced communities across the city," said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “New Yorkers are starting to see real improvements at parks in communities where they are most needed. I thank the City, Commissioner Silver, the Parks Department, Council, park advocates, and community members.”

“I am thrilled that the renovations to Sol Lain and Henry M. Jackson Playgrounds are completed. The creation of the Community Parks Initiative has enabled local residents to participate in and specify what renovations they wanted in their local playground. The initiative has allowed children and adults who articulated their wants and needs to see their ideas become a reality. Area residents rely on these playgrounds for exercise, rest and to meet up with friends. I am so proud that our local residents will be able to see and enjoy the fruits of labor,” said Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, District 2.

“In our City, especially in densely populated Lower Manhattan, residents consider parks and playgrounds as their own backyards -- a place to enjoy the outdoors and to connect with their neighbors," said Council Member Margaret S. Chin. “For our young people, these parks and playgrounds provide space for aspiring athletes to be champions and for teammates to become best friends. I commend Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Silver for investing in Sol Lain Playground and Henry M. Jackson Playground so that our children have the open space they need and deserve for generations to come.”

“In a community that has long been great need of recreational space for our children the repair and modernization of Sol-Lain and Jackson playground is welcomed though overdue, I thank Mayor de Blasio for recognizing the needs of the children in our Lower East Side Community," said Assembly Member Alice Cancel.

Launched by Mayor de Blasio in October 2014, CPI is a multi-faceted investment in the smaller public parks that are located in New York City’s densely populated and growing neighborhoods where there are higher-than-average concentrations of poverty. CPI is NYC Parks' first major equity initiative and part of the Mayor’s OneNYC: The Plan for a Strong and Just City. Last fall, Mayor de Blasio announced the City has doubled the funding for CPI, bringing the total investment to $285 million in capital dollars through 2019.

The initial program funding, along with the additional Mayoral commitment of $150 million in the FY ’16 Executive Plan, promotes the full re-imagining and reconstruction of more than 60 parks through 2019. The 35 parks announced by the Mayor in 2014 are all advancing according to schedule, and the 12 parks announced last fall as part of the second phase of the program are already in design. More will be announced in the near future.

About Sol Lain Playground:
The scope of construction at Sol Lain Playground includes new, separated play areas for kids aged 6 months to 2 years, 2 to 5 years and 5 to 12 years old, as well as swings and a spray shower. Features for older kids include a high-school-size basketball court, as well as a multi- purpose play area with two basketball backstops, painted lines for tag football and a mini-running track. Adjacent to P.S. 134 will be a children's education garden with accessible planters, water supply, compost bin, storage container and a small cherry orchard.

Other work includes new pavements, curbs, fences and gates, drainage, drinking fountains and lighting. Green infrastructure elements have been included in coordination with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to manage storm water runoff, including permeable pavements and plant beds with shrubs, small trees and perennials.

The project has a total allocation of $3.6 million, including funds from the Community Parks Initiative, the Parks Without Borders initiative and from DEP. Work is expected to be complete by Fall 2017.

About Henry M. Jackson Playground:
The scope of construction at Henry M. Jackson Playground includes the installation of one intermediate-sized basketball court and two junior courts with new hoops and backstops. The existing handball court will be resurfaced, and painted lines will delineate a mini-running track and volleyball area. Other work includes pavements, curbs, fences and gates, drinking fountains, new planting areas, security lighting, benches and picnic tables.

Green infrastructure improvements are also being coordinated here with DEP to manage storm water runoff, including permeable pavements and plant beds with shrubs, small trees and perennials.

The project has a total allocation of $1.9 million, also including funds from the Community Parks Initiative, the Parks Without Borders initiative and from DEP. Work is expected to be complete by Fall 2017.