Tribeca’s Favorite Playground Welcomes Back Local Kids
Just in time to make the first day back at school a little bit less bittersweet, the Friends of Washington Market Park and the City’s Department of Parks & Recreation on Wednesday, August 27, reopened the beloved greensward at the corner of Chambers and Greenwich Street, which had closed in May for repairs.
“We are thrilled that Washington Market Park has officially reopened following the completion of a long-awaited renovation project,” says Amandalyn Jones, co-president of the board of Friends of Washington Market Park, the non-profit organization that advocates for the treasured amenity. “The improvements have addressed the park’s biggest needs – drainage and pathways – creating a safer and more accessible space for everyone to enjoy. Along with these essential improvements, neighbors will also notice a repainted gazebo, repaired pavers, and upgraded benches that make the park more welcoming.”
She added, “this project represents years of advocacy and collaboration between the Parks Department, elected officials, and the Friends of Washington Market Park. We are especially grateful to City Council member Christopher Marte for his support, and to the Parks Department team, for their leadership and dedication. While Parks managed the large capital improvements, Friends raised funds for enhancements beyond the City’s budget, such as repainting the gazebo, replacing additional playground beams, and adding new plantings. It’s incredibly rewarding to see what can be accomplished when neighbors, civic leaders, and city agencies work hand-in-hand toward a shared vision of a park that truly serves the whole community.”
But the work isn’t done. Ms. Jones says, “we’re excited to continue building on this momentum. The Parks Department will be adding a new water fountain with a bottle filler, repairing the water fountain near the big playground, and resodding the lawn in the spring. The Friends of Washington Market Park will continue to focus on smaller enhancements and community events that bring the park to life. Our goal is to ensure that Washington Market Park remains not just a green space, but a true neighborhood space in Tribeca for connection and play for everyone to enjoy for years to come.”
Pamela Frederick, a member of the board of directors of the Friends group, told a meeting of the Waterfront, Parks, and Recreation Committee of Community Board 1 this past April, “the park was last rebuilt in 2003,” adding that in recent years it has been beset with a host of maintenance issues: “half of our lights don’t work because the electrical lines are obsolete, the infrastructure for the water feature doesn’t work, and we need all new playgrounds and play surfaces.”
Officials from the Parks Department estimate that basic maintenance work could be done for $500,000, but the Friends group is concerned that this would permanently solve none of the systemic issues they have identified. Instead, they are hoping to undertake a comprehensive upgrade for the park, which City officials estimate will cost $5.3 million. They have begun to work with the staffs of Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Council member Marte to allocate these funds in annual budget cycles over the next few years.