Matthews Muliner Playground

Parks Kicks Off 2007 Season Of Ribbon Cuttings In The Bronx With Celebration At Matthews Muliner Playground

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe today joined City Council Member James Vacca, former City Council Member Madeline Provenzano, Community Board #11 District Manager John Fratta, Community Board #11 Parks Chair Joseph Carfora, and second graders from P.S. 83 to cut the ribbon on $1.6 million in completed renovations to Matthews Muliner Playground.

The $1.6 million capital project was funded by $1.3 million of City Council funds allocated by Former City Council Member Madeline Provenzano and her predecessor Council Member James, and $376,000 of Mayoral funds. $110,000 of the Mayoral funds was allocated through the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for the installation of a new grey water irrigation system, the first of its kind in a Bronx park. Through the grey water irrigation system, water from the children’s spray shower is drained into an underground storage tank and redirected to trees, plants and shrubs in other areas of the park, thereby conserving water, reducing energy, and fueling plant growth. The state of the art playground also features two large brightly colored reconstructed play equipment structures with playful designs, two handball and two full basketball courts, drinking fountains, a new spray shower area, swings, seating areas and plantings.

Matthews Muliner Playground is named after David Matthews, former Mayor of New York (1776-1783) and Thomas Muliner, a 17th century Dutch settler in the area.

Over the past five years, Parks & Recreation has spent more than $113 million for Bronx park improvements, including new waterfront parks, greenways, and recreational facilities. Over the next five years, Parks will invest an additional $462 million to develop park projects in the Bronx, including more than $200 million from the construction of the Croton Water Filtration Plant. Current capital projects include the creation of a new park at the old Concrete Plant, the expansion of waterfront access at Regatta Park, and the development of the Bronx River Greenway which will connect the South Bronx and Westchester borders with a 15-mile bike and pedestrian path. In addition, new ball fields and athletic facilities are transforming the borough.