
Image credit: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.
The Mayor’s office has invested $23 million across three acres of NYCHA open space. On September 14, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams, the Parks Department, and the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced a pilot program to invest in nearly three acres of NYCHA open spaces, including playgrounds, across six housing developments. Three of these developments are located in Queens, two in the Bronx, and one in Brooklyn. (more…)

Playgrounds have been closed since April 1st, but are now allowed to reopen as the City moves into Phase 2. Image Credit: CityLand
Over 1000 playgrounds will be reopened and cleaned, but equipment will not be sanitized. On June 18, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that playgrounds would be reopened as part of Phase 2, which began Monday, June 22nd. While NYC parks generally remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many facilities within parks were closed and restrictions were placed to limit the activity allowed in parks in an effort to stop overcrowding and the spread of COVID-19. On April 1, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced the closure of all NYC playgrounds, as the density within them was too high. For CityLand’s prior coverage of park closings, click here. (more…)

Broken Spiral Slide. Image credit: City of New York Office of the Comptroller.
549 NYCHA-owned playgrounds have hazardous conditions and lack of repair and maintenance records. On April 4, 2018, Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released an audit of New York City Housing Authority playgrounds’ conditions and maintenance. NYCHA is responsible for the maintenance of each development’s playgrounds. Results from playground inspections are required to be entered into NYCHA’s electronic system for tracking maintenance and physical repair work. However, the Comptroller’s audit shows that NYCHA failed to consistently maintain playgrounds. (more…)

Old Croton Aqueduct Walk. Image Credit: LPC.
On August 15, 2023, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar the Old Croton Aqueduct Walk for consideration as a scenic landmark. The Aqueduct Walk, located between the University Heights and Kingsbridge Heights sections of the Bronx, is a linear park along Aqueduct Avenue between West Kingsbridge Road and Burnside Avenue. (more…)

Some of the new play equipment at Noble Playground. Image credit: Council Member Amanda Farías.
On August 1, 2023, the Parks Department announced the completion of a $2.5 million renovation to Noble Playground in the Van Nest section of the Bronx. The playground is located on Noble Avenue between Bronx River Avenue and East 177th Street. (more…)