Press Releases

Murphy Brothers Playground reopens in Lower East Side with flood protection, two new dog runs, ballfields and other amenities

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue joined NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Tom Foley to celebrate the reopening of Murphy Brothers Playground, The ribbon cutting was part of a celebration led by Mayor Adams to mark the completion of the first half of East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR), an ambitious initiative to form a continuous line of coastal protection along the East River from Montgomery Street north to Asser Levy Playground. This completion comes ahead of schedule and under budget, a major milestone in the effort to protect more than 110,000 Lower East Side residents, including 28,000 in public housing, from future storms and high tides.

“These critical enhancements to the East Side’s waterfront parks represent a landmark investment in lifesaving flood protection for over 110,000 residents on the Lower East Side,” said NYC Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue. "Thanks to this innovative project, Murphy Brothers Playground reopens with improved recreational spaces, new measures to increase climate resiliency, and additional amenities that will keep our urban landscapes vibrant and green for all New Yorkers."

“With this milestone, achieved on time and under budget, New York takes a huge step toward protecting one of its most vulnerable communities from coastal storms and future high tides,” said DDC Commissioner Tom Foley. “We are pioneering shoreline protection and climate change management for major North American cities, and doing it in a way that enhance recreation and enhances neighborhoods instead of just walling them in.”

“I am thrilled that Murphy Brothers Playground has reopened as part of the ESCR project. The refurbished park has new fields for the Peter Stuyvesant Little League to play on and two brand new dog runs, and will be getting new bathrooms. I want to thank the Department of Design and Construction and the Parks Department for bringing these upgrades to Murphy Brothers Playground that I’m certain the whole neighborhood will enjoy,” said Council Member Keith Powers.

“The East Side Coastal Resiliency project is a necessary project enhancing our city’s flood resiliency in the face of climate change. Not only does it build hardened infrastructure to weather storms, but it is bringing brand new playgrounds, parks and recreational spaces for New Yorkers of all ages to enjoy. I am excited that the newly renovated Murphy Brothers Playground is open for the public to use, and I can’t wait to throw a first pitch at a Peter Stuyvesant Little League game there this spring. Thank you to DDC Commissioner Tom Foley

for delivering a project on time and under budget, and to Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue for her continued commitment to serving our communities,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera.

“Manhattan Community Board Six (CB6) wishes to thank the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project team, including the Departments of Design and Construction and Parks and Recreation, and Council Member Keith Powers for upgrading Murphy Brothers Playground and providing our district with a protected, sustainable resource. CB6 cherishes all of our parks, especially those that connect us to our waterfront. Our parks are the jewels of our neighborhoods and are highly used. They are an important element in the necklace of green that we envision in our district. We look forward to the construction of the new restrooms, a much-needed resource for those who visit the waterfront. The new dog run will attract new users to Murphy Brothers Playground, and we know the youngest residents of our district are overjoyed to have their local ballfields back,” stated Sandra McKee, Chair, Manhattan Community Board Six.

“Seeing the newly renovated Murphy Brothers Playground with the Tim McGinn Fields come to life fills us with immense pride and excitement. For over 25 years, this park has been an integral part of our little league — a place where young athletes grow, learn and create lifelong memories. This renovation is a game-changer, providing a safe and inspiring space for our kids to play the sport they love while fostering a strong sense of community. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this dream a reality, from all of us at Peter Stuyvesant Little League,” said Nick McKeon, league president.

Murphy Brothers Playground, located on Avenue C at E. 17th Street, reopened following ESCR construction with new flood protection, a basketball court, two new ballfields, two new dog runs (for large and small dogs), a new playground area and swing set, new lighting, and new grading and landscaping. In addition, DDC will plant 39 new trees in the playground starting this spring. A new public restroom building is due to be completed by spring 2026.

ESCR is developing a 2.4-mile flood barrier along the East River, featuring raised parkland, floodwalls, berms, and 18 flood gates. The completed section includes 12 gates and 3,129 feet of floodwall, utilizing 825 tons of rebar and 7,850 cubic yards of concrete, supported by over 400 piles driven up to 120 feet deep.

As part of ESCR, five parks, including Asser Levy and Stuyvesant Cove, are being improved. Asser Levy reopened in July 2022, and Stuyvesant Cove followed in May 2023. New amenities and infrastructure, like a larger Delancey Street Bridge, which reopened in September, with plans for a similar replacement for the Corlears Hook Bridge and raised park entrances for better access.