Bronx Parks Get Cash Infusion
Ranaqwa Park: East 136 Street between Brown Pl. and Willis Avenue. Three million will be invested in Ranaqua Park, which also has a “Green Thumb” area for community members.
By Emily Chalas
The NYC Parks plans to spend $130 million to develop programming and to upgrade maintenance in parks located in low-income communities. While the Bloomberg Administration spent millions on major park renewal projects, this plan aims to renovate some of the smaller recreational spots in areas of high poverty.
Thirty-five parks in 55 neighborhoods will benefit from this plan. The nine Bronx parks that are affected by the initiative are located in the southern areas of the borough such as Hunts Point and Mott Haven.
Spofford Avenue between Faile Street and Hunts Point Avenue
Hunts Point Playground:
The city will work with Partnership for Parks, an organization that brings professionals into community parks, to develop activities and recreational events.
Maintenance is also a target of the Community Parks Initiative and the designated parks will get face-lifts.
A common characteristic of many of these parks is that they have lots of empty space. There’s a small area for children to play and three to four basketball courts where young men and even the older men congregate early morning to shoot some hoops.
Longfellow Garden: 883 Longfellow Avenue between Whitlock Avenue and Lowell Street
Overgrown and rundown Longfellow Garden already shows signs that work will soon be underway. The park is completely closed off with “DANGER” and “DO NOT ENTER,” signs.
“It seems like they’ve forgotten about this here,” said Carlos Perez, a resident of the area. “It’s horrible to look at every morning.”
Lyons Square Playground: Aldus Street to Bruckner Blvd between Bryant Avenue and Longfellow Avenue
Read the report, NYC Parks: Framework for an Equitable Future.