{"id":17366,"date":"2025-02-07T01:40:17","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T06:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/?p=17366"},"modified":"2025-02-07T01:40:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T06:40:19","slug":"where-do-children-play-in-the-borough-the-dangers-of-playgrounds-and-an-exception-to-the-rule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/eternal-where-do-children-play-in-the-borough-the-dangers-of-playgrounds-and-an-exception-to-the-rule","title":{"rendered":"Where Do Children Play in the Borough? The Dangers of Playgrounds and an Exception to the Rule"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The construction of playgrounds has failed to keep up with the growing number of children in several New York City neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, Brooklyn is one of the most underserved boroughs, with only eight playgrounds per 10,000 children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The maintenance of playgrounds is deeply inadequate\u2014521 NYC Parks playgrounds have at least one hazardous element requiring urgent attention or even removal, according to New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To address this issue, Stringer launched the \u201cPavement to Playgrounds\u201d initiative, which introduces an innovative model for building urban playgrounds. His plan calls for the construction of 200 new playgrounds over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read more about the state of Brooklyn&#8217;s playgrounds on <a href=\"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/\">i-brooklyn.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a6845711f5f6\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a6845711f5f6\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/eternal-where-do-children-play-in-the-borough-the-dangers-of-playgrounds-and-an-exception-to-the-rule\/#Findings_from_the_Inspection\" >Findings from the Inspection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/eternal-where-do-children-play-in-the-borough-the-dangers-of-playgrounds-and-an-exception-to-the-rule\/#Domino_Park_Playground_A_Rare_Success\" >Domino Park Playground: A Rare Success<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/eternal-where-do-children-play-in-the-borough-the-dangers-of-playgrounds-and-an-exception-to-the-rule\/#The_%E2%80%9CPavement_to_Playgrounds%E2%80%9D_Initiative\" >The &#8220;Pavement to Playgrounds&#8221; Initiative<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/eternal-where-do-children-play-in-the-borough-the-dangers-of-playgrounds-and-an-exception-to-the-rule\/#A_Playground_at_the_End_of_the_Block\" >A Playground at the End of the Block<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Findings_from_the_Inspection\"><\/span>Findings from the Inspection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1133\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122933\/1-13.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122933\/1-13.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122933\/1-13-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122933\/1-13-768x544.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122933\/1-13-1536x1088.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122933\/1-13-696x493.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Scott M. Stringer, access to playgrounds varies dramatically between different neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In some areas, there are three times as many playgrounds per child as in others.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In neighbourhoods with the highest number of children, there are fewer than four playgrounds per 10,000 children\u2014a critically low number.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More broadly, New York City ranks only 48th in playground availability per capita among the 100 largest U.S. cities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hundreds of playgrounds across the city were found to be in poor condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>521 playgrounds operated by NYC Parks had at least one serious safety hazard requiring immediate intervention.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Among these hazards:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>807 risks posed a moderate chance of injury.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>29 hazards were classified as life-threatening.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brooklyn was the most severely affected borough, with 24% of playgrounds deemed &#8220;unacceptable&#8221;\u2014the highest percentage in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brooklyn also had the lowest playground density, with only eight playgrounds per 10,000 children under ten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>By comparison:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Manhattan had 15 playgrounds per 10,000 children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Staten Island had 11 per 10,000.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, Brooklyn&#8217;s child population has increased significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the 15 neighbourhoods with the fewest playgrounds, the number of children grew by 14% from 2010 to 2017\u2014an increase from 276,000 to nearly 314,000 children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This accounts for 89% of the total child population growth in NYC.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Domino_Park_Playground_A_Rare_Success\"><\/span>Domino Park Playground: A Rare Success<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1078\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122931\/2-13.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122931\/2-13.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122931\/2-13-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122931\/2-13-768x517.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122931\/2-13-1536x1035.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122931\/2-13-696x469.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite these troubling statistics, are all Brooklyn playgrounds unsafe?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To investigate, let\u2019s visit one of Brooklyn\u2019s most notable playgrounds\u2014Domino Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, along the East River, the six-acre park sits on the site of the former Domino Sugar Refinery. It features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A raised walkway (accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A beach volleyball court and a bocce court.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A four-season lawn.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Two water features.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A dog park.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the highlight of the park is the Domino Park Playground, designed by Brooklyn-based artist Mark A. Reigelman II. The playground\u2019s industrial design reflects Brooklyn\u2019s manufacturing history. It includes three main play zones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Sugar Cane Cabin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Sweetwater Silo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Centrifuge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To enhance the historical theme, Reigelman incorporated words from the original factory signage inside the structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The playground was engineered to meet strict safety standards, thanks to collaboration with Landscape Structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since its opening, the playground has received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Regardless of the weather, the playground is always full of children and families. Even passersby stop to admire the unique design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This example proves that Brooklyn can have safe, well-designed playgrounds\u2014but it remains an exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_%E2%80%9CPavement_to_Playgrounds%E2%80%9D_Initiative\"><\/span>The &#8220;Pavement to Playgrounds&#8221; Initiative<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1053\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122929\/3-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122929\/3-11.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122929\/3-11-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122929\/3-11-768x505.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122929\/3-11-1536x1011.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122929\/3-11-696x458.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A single playground does not solve Brooklyn\u2019s playground shortage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To address the issue, Scott M. Stringer proposed major reforms, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Building 200 new playgrounds over the next five years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expanding \u201cPavement to Playgrounds\u201d, a partnership between NYC Parks, the NYC Department of Transportation, local non-profits, and community boards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthening the \u201cSchoolyards to Playgrounds\u201d program, converting more schoolyards into public playgrounds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increasing maintenance funding for existing playgrounds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensuring playgrounds serve a wide range of age groups, encouraging learning, play, and social interaction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stringer\u2019s report analyzed all 2,067 municipal playgrounds in NYC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1,028 are managed by NYC Parks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>796 belong to NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>243 are schoolyards with shared playground spaces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hundreds of playgrounds were classified as \u201cunacceptable\u201d due to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Multiple safety hazards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A single severe risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overall poor cleanliness and upkeep.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To assess whether these findings led to improvements, let\u2019s examine a newer playground built after Stringer\u2019s report\u2014Papa\u2019s Review Playground in Greenpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Playground_at_the_End_of_the_Block\"><\/span>A Playground at the End of the Block<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"916\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122928\/4-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122928\/4-1.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122928\/4-1-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122928\/4-1-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122928\/4-1-1536x879.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.i-brooklyn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/17122928\/4-1-696x398.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Papa\u2019s Review Playground is tucked away in a newly renovated section of Greenpoint\u2019s waterfront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Located at the very end of a restored city block, it\u2019s shiny and new, with sensory panels for children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, it lacks excitement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The playground is small and compact, limiting space for active play.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While it includes key elements\u2014slides, ladders, and climbing structures\u2014it feels underwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It&#8217;s a great spot for a quick visit but not a place where families would spend hours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The playground is likely enough for local families in nearby new developments, but it doesn\u2019t compare to more dynamic Brooklyn playgrounds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While some exceptional playgrounds exist in Brooklyn, many children still lack safe places to play. Domino Park Playground is a shining example of what a well-designed and safe play space should be. However, Brooklyn remains the most underserved borough, with far too few playgrounds and many unsafe conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The \u201cPavement to Playgrounds\u201d initiative aims to address this imbalance, but significant improvements are still needed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The construction of playgrounds has failed to keep up with the growing number of children in several New York City neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, Brooklyn is one of the most underserved boroughs, with only eight playgrounds per 10,000 children. The maintenance of playgrounds is deeply inadequate\u2014521 NYC Parks playgrounds have at least one hazardous element requiring urgent [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":537,"featured_media":17379,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4820],"tags":[6481,6478,6473,6471,6477,6472,6475,6480,6474,6479,6482,6483,6476,6470],"moimportance":[32,35],"motype":[4825],"moformat":[88],"class_list":["post-17366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sporty","tag-brooklyn-childrens-recreation","tag-brooklyn-parks-shortage","tag-brooklyn-playgrounds","tag-domino-park-playground","tag-greenpoint-playgrounds","tag-nyc-childrens-play-areas","tag-nyc-parks-inspections","tag-nyc-playground-safety","tag-pavement-to-playgrounds","tag-playground-density-nyc","tag-public-park-safety","tag-scott-stringer-initiative","tag-unsafe-playgrounds-nyc","tag-williamsburg-play-spaces","moimportance-golovna-novyna","moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","motype-eternal","moformat-copywriting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/537"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17366"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17382,"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17366\/revisions\/17382"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17366"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=17366"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=17366"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/i-brooklyn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=17366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}