Pfc Norton Playground

Parks Cuts Ribbon on Norton Playground Improvements

Commissioner Adrian Benepe was today joined by City Council Member Kendall Stewart, Community Board 15 Chair Theresa Scavo, 61st Precinct Captain Patrick Donohue, and students from Yeshiva Derech Hatorah, the Beacon School and Butterfly Day Care to cut the ribbon on improvements to PFC Thomas Norton Playground. Upcoming renovations to the park’s comfort station were also announced.

“PFC Thomas Norton Playground is nestled in the middle of the Marine Park, Midwood and Sheepshead Bay communities and while it is frequently used, it has long needed a complete reconstruction,” said Commissioner Benepe. “I am grateful to Councilman Kendall Stewart and Mayor Bloomberg for stepping up to the plate and providing nearly $1 million to renovate the play equipment, repair the handball court, build a spray shower and plant many new trees and shrubs. If that wasn’t enough, their additional allocation of $750,000 will allow us to renovate the park’s comfort station. This is another example of how we are expanding recreational opportunities and increasing greening in our local parks and playgrounds, and a fitting tribute to Private Norton, a Vietnam veteran who is the playground’s namesake.”

Thanks to a generous allocation of $813,000 from Council Member Stewart and $177,000 from Mayor Bloomberg, Brooklynites can now enjoy a nearly $1 million state-of-the-art playground. The improvements include new play equipment, a spray shower, a drinking fountain, new benches, a reconstructed handball court, color pavements, steel fencing, and beautiful trees and landscaping.

An additional $720,000 from Council Member Stewart and $30,000 from Mayor Bloomberg was allocated to renovate the park’s comfort station including fully accessible restrooms and baby changing stations. Work will begin this summer.

This playground honors Private First Class Thomas Norton (1947 – 1968). PFC Norton was born in the Marine Park area of Brooklyn and worked at the Parks Department during his summers off from school. He died in Vietnam while serving in the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Unit, and was a recipient of the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. The playground was named for him in 1969.