Jacob H. Schiff Playground

NYC PARKS BREAKS GROUND ON THE JACOB H. SCHIFF PLAYGROUND BASKETBALL COURTS RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined New York City Council Member Mark Levine; Deputy Borough President Matthew Washington; Co-Chair of the Community Board 9 Landmarks Preservation & Parks Committee Anthony Carrion; Jacob H. Schiff Playground Neighborhood Association founder Brett Dakin, and members of the community to break ground on a $1 million reconstruction of the basketball courts at Jacob H. Schiff Playground in West Harlem.

“The basketball courts are a vital part of Jacob Schiff Playground,” said Commissioner Silver. “With reconstructed asphalt, new seating, and improved lighting, this transformation will make the courts a better place to play and a more welcoming space for spectators.”

“The Jacob Schiff Playground is an important cornerstone of the West Harlem community and for the children who attend P.S.192 and their parents,” said Council Member Mark Levine. “The upgrades to the basketball court and the addition of bleachers will make this an even better facility and provide children of all ages a safe and fun court to play on. I am very happy I was able to work through the City Council to help secure funding to contribute to these upgrades.”

The project at Jacob H. Schiff Playground will reconstruct the asphalt pavement on all three courts to provide a safe playing surface. Bleachers will be added as well as more benches and shade trees to provide comfortable areas for viewing basketball games. The project will also feature new basketball backstops, backboards and hoops; an accessible bottle filler in between the courts; and repaired sports lighting fixtures fitted with new LED luminaires.

The $1 million project was funded by a $123,000 allocation from Mayor Bill de Blasio and $900,000 from New York City Council Member Mark Levine.

This project is part of a larger investment in Jacob H. Schiff Playground. An upcoming replacement of the synthetic turf ballfield is in design, and the reconstruction of the sitting area along Amsterdam Avenue has been funded and will begin design later this year.

This parkland honors philanthropist and financier Jacob H. Schiff (1847-1920). Schiff became involved in numerous charitable causes in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He helped found the Jewish Montefiore Home and the Jewish Theological Seminary, and contributed to many educational institutions, including Columbia University, Harvard University, Cornell University, and Barnard College. The playground is shared by Public School 192, also known as Jacob H. Schiff School.