Marion Hopkinson Playground

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, September 5, 2006

And The Winner Is: Parks Cuts Ribbon On Award-Winning Playground

Photo by Daniel Avila

On August 22, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined City Council Member Darlene Mealy, Community Board 16 District Manager Viola Greene-Walker and children from the Advent Day Care Center to cut the ribbon on $1 million in improvements to Marion-Hopkinson Playground in Brooklyn.

This ceremony celebrated the completion of the second phase of restorations to Marion-Hopkinson Playground.  The City Council funded $830,000 and the Mayor’s Office funded $170,000 to install a new toddler spray shower with a rainbow theme, a climbing dome, toddler play equipment, swings, garden areas, and perimeter steel fencing with ornamental gates.

One of the Park’s pathways travels the original route of the Jamaica Plank Road.  This road traversed across the current playground during the Revolutionary War era and the Battle of Brooklyn. 

In May 2004, Parks completed the first phase of improvements to Marion-Hopkinson Playground including a new basketball court, play equipment, a community sitting area, drinking fountains and lighting.

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce awarded this project their 2006 Building Brooklyn Award, in the Parks and Open Space category.  The awards recognize recently completed construction projects that have had a positive impact on quality of life in the borough.  This design was heralded for connecting the upper portion of the Park with the lower portion, which was formerly an abandoned lot, creating active recreational spaces for adults and children alike.

“The 2006 Building Brooklyn Award, presented by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, acknowledges that Marion-Hopkinson Playground is one of the central spots for recreation, not only in the Ocean Hill community, but in the entire borough of Brooklyn,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe.  “Through additions that include a spray shower with a rainbow theme and a climbing dome, local children have new recreational spaces to enjoy. We are grateful to the City Council and to Mayor Bloomberg for generously funding $1 million to make this vision a reality.”

In keeping with the site’s Revolutionary War history, Commissioner Benepe and Council Member Mealy signed a Declaration affirming our commitment in keeping the Park clean and safe.  They were soon joined by a bevy of enthusiastic children from Advent Day Care.  After signing their names, the children led the officials in the Chicken Noodle Soup dance.

Marion-Hopkinson Playground is at the corner of Marion Street and Thomas Boyland Street (formerly Hopkinson Avenue) in Ocean Hill, Brooklyn.  It was acquired by Parks in 1935 and opened in 1938.  It honors two American patriots, Francis Marion (1732-1795) and Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791).  Marion fought with the South Carolina Militia during the American Revolution, helping neutralize Britain’s southern armies.  Hopkinson represented New Jersey in the Continental Congress and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“Yeah, I'm a thrill seeker but, crikey, education's the most important thing.”

Steve Irwin
(1962 – 2006)