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On June 1, the Kingsborough Houses community celebrated the opening of two newly refurbished playgrounds at the Brooklyn development, where more than 2,200 residents live. 

Mayor Eric Adams and recently appointed NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa joined �鶹�� representatives and local residents for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the $5.1 million project, which includes 20,000- and 16,000-square-foot play areas. The remodeled playgrounds include new equipment, water play features, game tables, seating areas, landscaping, and new fencing. In addition, NYC Parks created new entrances from the sidewalk to make it easier for the public to access the amenities. 

The Kingsborough spaces are the last of six sites across the city that have been revitalized as part of an initiative to invest in nearly three acres of �鶹�� open space. The effort, a partnership between �鶹�� and NYC Parks, aimed to create new amenities for the �鶹�� community and other New Yorkers who do not live within walking distance of a park. The five other �鶹�� sites are Pomonok, Woodside, and Redfern Houses in Queens, and 1471 Watson Avenue and Sotomayor Houses in the Bronx.  

“Here in New York City, parks and playgrounds are not just a bonus, they are our backyards, where we walk our dogs, meet our friends, and take our children to play,” Mayor Adams said. “Today’s announcement marks the completion of a $23 million investment to reimagine nearly three acres of open space across �鶹�� sites and puts 10,000 more New Yorkers within walking distance of a park. Every family across the five boroughs should have a nice, clean place to take their child to play, and today we are one step closer to that reality.” 

�鶹�� CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt noted that open spaces and playgrounds serve as important outlets for residents to engage in physical activity, as well as community hubs and gathering spaces. 

“As �鶹�� continues to use every tool at its disposal to invest in and renovate its properties, we extend our sincere appreciation to the Adams administration and our partners at NYC Parks for their support and work in breathing new life into these outdoor spaces, and their ongoing dedication to �鶹�� residents,” Ms. Bova-Hiatt said.  

The renovated playgrounds at Kingsborough Houses feature new equipment, spray showers, game tables, and seating areas. (courtesy of Michael Appleton, Mayor’s office)

�鶹�� Senior Vice President for Capital Programs Joy Sinderbrand added: “Parks and open spaces are so important, not just for play, but for building community connections, and also for just really improving the quality of life of all New Yorkers. My colleagues and I at �鶹�� are particularly excited to see this space open and become an integral part of Kingsborough Houses.” 

Throughout the green-space redevelopment process at Kingsborough and the five other �鶹�� sites, NYC Parks and �鶹�� staff met with residents to select specific features and locations and help create their visions for the revitalized outdoor areas.  

Expressing her appreciation at the project ribbon-cutting, Kingsborough Resident Association President Angelina Whittaker said: “You don’t know how long we needed this park, and we really do appreciate it. I feel that we are very thankful.” 

Featured photo caption: The completed playground project at Brooklyn’s Kingsborough Houses was the last of six sites to be redeveloped as part of an effort to invest in nearly three acres of �鶹�� open space. (courtesy of Michael Appleton, Mayor’s office)