Wakefield Playground

CITY HALL IN YOUR BOROUGH: NYC PARKS BREAKS GROUND ON $5.2 MILLION RENOVATION OF WAKEFIELD PLAYGROUND IN THE BRONX

Today, as part of City Hall In Your Borough, NYC Parks First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh joined Bronx Deputy Borough President Marricka Scott-McFadden, State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, City Council Member Eric Dinowitz, representatives from Bronx Community Board 12, and community members to break ground on the reconstruction of Wakefield Playground in the Bronx.

“In the city’s recovery, we’re doing everything we can to make sure historically underserved communities have access to safe, beautiful parks of quality,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I’m excited to break ground on Wakefield Playground’s renovation today, and I look forward to hearing about all the wonderful memories Bronxites and their families will make in this revamped community hub.”

“During City Hall In Your Borough 2021, we’re so excited to break ground on the new, transformative renovations coming to Wakefield Playground,” said Parks First Deputy Commissioner Kavanagh. “We’d like to thank Mayor Bill de Blasio, the State Assembly, City Council, and the Borough President for making this renovation possible, and upon completion, Bronxites of all ages and abilities will have a brand new greenspace to enjoy.”

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said: "Revitalizing the Wakefield Playground has been a long time coming, and I am excited that we are finally breaking ground on this wonderful project. When I saw the old playground and the lack of equipment, I committed myself to helping to bring a first rate playground to the children of Wakefield. Thank you to Speaker Heastie for partnering with me to secure one million dollars in state funding for this modernization effort, as well as former City Council Member Andrew Cohen for securing additional city funding, as well as State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Community Board 12, and community leaders like Audrey McAllister for their support. I look forward to the completion of this project, which will offer neighborhood children a great, outdoor place to play for years to come."

“As a former public school teacher for over a decade, year-after-year, I saw the importance of our kids having the proper space to go out and play. This not only helps them socialize, but also contributes to their performance in school and to their overall health. The pandemic reminded us of how important having this kind of space is, both for our children and their families,” Council Member Eric Dinowitz said. “Thank you to all those who contributed to make this possible. With this ADA accessible playground, the children of Wakefield will have the opportunity to make memories that they will always cherish.”

The Wakefield Playground renovation project will provide all new play equipment and a spray shower in the lower level of the playground. In the upper level of the playground, two new basketball courts, a painted junior soccer field and an additional entrance to increase safety will be installed. A new ADA accessible ramp will connect both levels, and new paving, plantings, seating, and drinking fountains will be added.

The $5.2 million project was funded with $3 million from Mayor Bill de Blasio, $1 million from State Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, $950,000 from City Council Member Eric Dinowitz, and $250,000 from Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

800+ COMPLETED CAPITAL PROJECTS
Under the leadership of Commissioner Silver, since 2014 NYC Parks has completed more than 800 capital projects across the five boroughs, advancing the City’s mission to build a more equitable park system for present and future generations. Under this administration, the agency has brought our park system into the 21st century, with guidelines focused on resiliency and access and leading with a data-driven approach to increasing park equity. Parks has also improved its capital process in order to take on more projects and complete them faster. Through these strategies, the agency has reimagined how we invest in parks across the city, including those in communities with the greatest need for open-space improvements that had not seen investment in decades. Parks’ 10-year capital budget is $5.2 billion—the completed projects over the past seven years represents a $1.96 billion investment.