Juniper Valley Park

Parks Cuts Ribbon On Reconstructed Juniper South Playground

Today, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley and Community Board 5 District Manager Gary Giordano and children from the Learn Tree cut the ribbon on almost $1 million in renovations to Juniper South Playground.

“We are pleased to open Juniper South Playground just in time for summer. The frog and lily pad spray shower pay tribute to Juniper Valley Park’s past and provide wonderful opportunities for swamp-themed fun and imagination.” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Thank you to Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council for recognizing the importance of playgrounds for New York City families and allocating the funds necessary to renovate this playground.”

Thanks to $750,000 from the City Council and $183,000 allocated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the east section of Juniper South Playground now sports a new wetland habitat-themed design and additional playground space in Juniper Valley Park. The spray shower features a lily pad in the concrete pavement and a frog statue. New trees, ornamental grasses and a painted turtle game express the natural theme for children. The playground also includes bucket swings as well as swings with flat seats and an accessible swing. The existing drinking fountain is now ADA compliant.

The design aesthetic for the playground was derived from the park’s early history as a swamp. In 1915, Juniper Valley Swamp was filled in, transforming the area into Juniper Valley Park.

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