Parks to Break Ground on Renovations at Minetta Playground, 7/19

DATE: Monday, July 19, 2010

TIME: 10:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Minetta Playground
Avenue of the Americas and West 3rd Street
Manhattan

EVENT &  PHOTO-OP: Manhattan Parks Commissioner Bill Castro will join City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, members of Community Board 2 and community officials to break ground on improvements to Minetta Park Playground.

DETAILS: The $1,537,000 renovations to Minetta Playground were funded thanks to the generous allocations of $937,000 from City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and $600,000 from Mayor Bloomberg.

The playground is being rebuilt with special attention to the land's historic roots and the original curving brook that once flowed there. The design elements and new plantings will also help harmonize the playground with the character of this lively neighborhood.

The plan includes removal of the existing storage building and the use of open play structures to increase visibility and safety in the playground. Upgrades in placement and selection of light fixtures will both beautify and increase safety. Modern play equipment, swings, a spray shower, new safety surfaces, a play house, a deck pathway, decorative pavements, new benches, game tables, fencing, a bicycle rack, a new drinking fountain and a storm drainage system will all be installed. The new play equipment and site features will comply with the most current ADA requirements and playground safety standards.