NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., and students from the PAL New South Bronx Center to break ground on a $3 million reconstruction of Playground 52.
Through this project, the basketball courts and amphitheater will be completely renovated and a new skate park will be built with new pavements, fences, planting, lighting and drainage system.
“The renovation of Playground 52 will modernize this recreational space so that it will appropriately serve both the children and the adults that live in this community and surrounding neighborhood,” said Commissioner Silver. “I’d like to thank Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., the City Council, and the Mayor’s office for making this happen.”
Funding for the project totaled an amount of $3,036,000, with $1 million coming from the Borough President, $1, 725, 000 from City Council, and an additional $311,000 from the Mayor’s office.
“From music to sports and everything in between, Playground 52 is a critical community hub for thousands of Bronx residents who socialize and engage with their neighbors here every single day,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “I was proud to have provided $1 million in critical capital funding for these necessary upgrades, and I thank the Parks Department, the City Council and this administration for their commitment to an updated and renovated Playground 52. I hope Bronx residents and visitors from all over will enjoy this park for years to come.”
“I’m proud to join our Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver and Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to break ground on another place for our families and children to enjoy,” said Councilman Rafael Salamanca Jr. “Our community deserves quality, clean, and safe green spaces and playgrounds, and I’m committed to working to continue to build beautiful outdoor facilities such as the new Playground 52.”
This playground is named for the advocacy group “52 People for Progress”. First assembled in 1980 under the direction of Al Quinones, the group invested thousands of hours improving their neighborhood park. 52 People for Progress is an early example of an advocacy group that joined forces with Parks to help revitalize and maintain parkland within their community.