
The renovated Dugan Playground. Image Credit: Office of Council Member David Carr.
On February 8, 2023, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced the ribbon-cutting of the newly renovated Gerard P. Dugan Playground in New Dorp, Staten Island. The playground is located in the middle of the block with Isernia Avenue to the north, Tysens Lane to the south, Mill Road to the west and Weed Avenue to the east. Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue was joined by Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, Council Member David Carr, community members, and students and representatives from the St. Charles School for the ribbon cutting. (more…)

Mayor Adams reveals examples of renovations made at nine NYCHA developments across Brooklyn. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
The project was possible through a conversion to a federally funded Project-Based Section 8 program. On May 20, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams joined U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chair Greg Russ and NUCHA resident association leaders to announce the completion of renovations and restorations to nine NYCHA developments across Brooklyn. (more…)

The upgraded Children’s Room at the Steinway Library. Image Credit: DDC.
On January 18, 2022, the Department of Design and Construction announced the reopening of the Steinway Library at 21-45 31st Street in Astoria. Steinway Library is one of the three original branches from 125 years ago that became the Long Island City Public Library system, later known as the Queens Borough Public Library. Prior to the pandemic, Steinway Library served almost 200,000 customers and circulated over 225,000 materials annually. (more…)

Image credit: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.
Almeda Playground’s $8.1 million renovation have been completed as a part of the Community Parks Initiative to build a more equitable park system. On May 12, 2021, Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver announced the completion of the renovations to Almeda Playground, located in Rockaway, Queens. The playground is located on the southern half of the block bounded by Thursby Avenue to the north, Beach Channel Drive to the south, Beach 66th Street to the west and Beach 65th Street to the east. The playground was originally named P.S. 42 Playground and opened in 1965. The playground was later renamed as Almeda Playground, named after nearby Almeda Avenue. (more…)

Image credit: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.
The improvements to Faber Park provide a more open and welcoming experience and assists in the Department of Parks and Recreation’s goal to create a more equitable park system. On April 22, 2021, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Silver announced the completion of improvements to Faber Park in the Richmond Terrace neighborhood in Staten Island. Funded by Mayor de Blasio and Council Member Deborah Rose, the improvements to Faber Park come as a part of the 800 capital projects completed under Commissioner Silver to establish a more equitable park system in New York City. (more…)