Photo Flash: NYC PARKS CUTS RIBBON ON RENOVATED WILLIAMSBRIDGE OVAL RECREATION CENTER

By: Nov. 23, 2013
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NYC Parks Deputy Commissioner Robert L. Garafola and Bronx Parks Commissioner Hector M. Aponte today joined State Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman-elect AnDrew Cohen, and members of Community Board 7 and the Friends of Williambsbridge Oval to cut the ribbon on the newly renovaTEd Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center in the Bronx. The Recreation Center underwent extensive interior and exterior renovations totaling $5.2 million. NYC Parks and community partner organizations celebrated the center's opening day with a "Kids and Adult Fitness Festival" featuring a variety of free activities, events, and prizes.

"With a beautifully renovated Recreation Center to complement its tree-lined pathways, athletic fields, courts, and running track, Williamsbridge Oval offers active and passive recreational opportunities for every age and ability," said NYC Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White. "I'd like to encourage all New Yorkers to Go Park and see how parks like Williamsbridge Oval are promoting healthy lifestyles for the 21st century!"

Extensive renovations were made to the center, including a new roof, upgrades to the building's façade, and the installation of new windows. The two existing bathrooms in the center were refurbished. In addition, two new public restrooms, which can be accessed from outside the center and are open to park goers during park hours, were constructed. These renovations totaled $4.2 million.

An additional $1 million was invested to improve the interior of the center. These renovations include a new HVAC system; an upgraded Computer Resource Center with eight computers; a new fitness room with 28 pieces of cardio and strength equipment; lighting and painting throughout the facility; new locker rooms; new doors; and new tile, cork, and rubberized flooring.

After the ribbon cutting, NYC Parks hosted a free "Kids and Adult Fitness Festival." The festival engaged participants in sports, fitness and outdoor adventure through interactive activities. It also provided a preview of programs that will be offered at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center and included basketball, double-dutch, arts and crafts, fitness classes, dance performances, and clinics in soccer, golf and tennis. Partners, including the NYPD, FDNY, Montefiore Hospital, Friends of Williamsbridge Oval, BuildOn, Corbin Hill Farms, America Group Health Net, New York Red Bulls, New York Road Runners and City Parks Foundation, provided support and volunteers.

In the past five years, NYC Parks has completed a total of $14.3 million worth of work throughout Williamsbridge Oval Park. In addition to the renovation of the Recreation Center, completed projects also include a playground with a spray shower and other water features, a basketball court complex with two full-sized courts, tennis courts, a synthetic turf field with a running track, and bleachers and benches. Extensive landscape work was completed throughout the site as well, lining all walkways with trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Most of the renovations of the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, as well as past projects in Williamsbridge Oval Park, were funded using Croton Mitigation funds. Under the Croton program, $200 million is being invested in Bronx parks. Other completed projects include the renovation of dozens of playgrounds, recreationAl Fields and courts, construction of a new skate park and amphitheater, expanded access to the waterfront, and the construction of miles of new greenway.

Since 1910, NYC Parks has provided the most affordable and extensive network of recreational services throughout the five boroughs. NYC Parks Recreation Centers offer a wide range of programs, and facilities with amenities including indoor pools, cardio and strength rooms, basketball courts, dance studios, art studios, game rooms and libraries. Membership at NYC Parks Recreation Centers costs $100-$150/year for Adults (aged 25-61), $25/year for Seniors (aged 62 and over), $25/year for Young Adults (aged 18 to 24), and is free for youth under 18. For more information on Recreation Center membership, please visit nyc.gov/parks/membership.

Photo Flash: NYC PARKS CUTS RIBBON ON RENOVATED WILLIAMSBRIDGE OVAL RECREATION CENTER

Photo Flash: NYC PARKS CUTS RIBBON ON RENOVATED WILLIAMSBRIDGE OVAL RECREATION CENTER

Photo Flash: NYC PARKS CUTS RIBBON ON RENOVATED WILLIAMSBRIDGE OVAL RECREATION CENTER

Photo Flash: NYC PARKS CUTS RIBBON ON RENOVATED WILLIAMSBRIDGE OVAL RECREATION CENTER



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