VIDEO: Playgrounds–What Does Inequality Look Like?
We filmed playgrounds at Union Square and East Harlem and analyzed the results.
Daily Archives: December 10, 2013
Every Borough has Playgrounds that Need Work, Our Site Visits Show
Every borough has playgrounds with deficiencies, our site visits show. Thirty-one out of the 127 evaluations we conducted—24 percent—led to failing marks of four out of eight or less. The average rating of 5.61 demonstrates considerable room for improvement in the playgrounds we evaluated.
Playground Usage: What the Research Says
A study, published in the current issue of the Journal of Community Health, examines how playgrounds are used and how people in neighborhoods across New York’s five boroughs perceive the playgrounds’ maintenance and safety.
MULTIMEDIA: ‘Schoolyards to Playgrounds’–One Bloomberg Program Everyone Can Admire
Not long ago, this schoolyard was covered in asphalt. The Bloomberg Administration and a surprising partner, Councilman Charles Barron, teamed up for a brand new playground.
City Program Utilizes Random Inspections to Check on Playground Upkeep
Outlining the inspection system used by the city Department of Parks and Recreation to find out whether playgrounds are in good shape.
VIDEO: The Stories Behind the Names
A majority of playgrounds in New York City bear names of nearby streets, schools and districts. Some honor social activists, politicians, local and world-known historic figures, inventors and even poets. But there are also a number of playgrounds with names that sound more intriguing. Maybe they’re funny or silly, or maybe they’re just not so ordinary.
The Mayor-elect and the Challenges of a More Equitable Park System
Job opening: New York City Parks Commissioner. Responsibilities include maintaining the city’s 30,000 acres of land and championing its 1,700 parks. Interested candidates should know that among the position’s biggest challenges will be addressing the growing disparities in parks and playgrounds within the five boroughs. Warning: it’s sure to be a contentious issue requiring some familiarity with concepts of economic inequality.
Bronx Park Stays Closed as Reconstruction Efforts Drag On
A month after the city Parks and Recreation Department promised to unveil renovation plans for Mt. Hope Garden park, Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera is still waiting.
New Playground in Brooklyn is a Natural
A new playground emerges from Sandy-felled trees in Prospect Park.
PHOTO GALLERY: What Looks Dangerous in Your Local Playground?
Not all city playgrounds are safe. Here are some examples of potentially dangerous things we found during the playgrounds’ examination.
New School Playgrounds Aim to Curb Floods and Pollution by Absorbing Water
The community playgrounds fill in the need for new play areas at city public schools and keep stormwater out of an old sewage system that cannot handle the extra rainwater.
Sunset Park Shows Challenges and Successes of Park Improvement
Today, it’s hard to imagine that Sunset Park was once plagued by drugs and violence, and patrolled by gangs.
Where’s the Love? Not at St. Mary’s Park in the South Bronx
Even with the support of a state senator and a new mayor elected on a platform of improving the lives of all New Yorkers, residents of Mott Haven are skeptical that improvements to the park will ever be made.
Five Great Playgrounds in New York City–By Parks Department Standards and Ours
New York City is home to some of the best playgrounds in the country.
Families of Children Hurt on Park Slope “Oodle” Suing the City
The Parks Department has removed the Oodle swing in South Slope playground in Brooklyn Saturday after at least ten children have suffered broken bones while playing on the equipment in September.
