The new interactive play arch at Rainbow Playground in Sunset Park. Image Credit: Parks Dept.
On April 19, 2024, Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, Council Member Susan Zhuang and community members celebrated the reconstruction of Rainbow Playground in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
The upgraded playground includes a rainbow arch play feature, new play equipment, spray shower, and tot tables. The interactive rainbow Yalp Sona arch is the first of its kind to be installed in a New York City Park and features games and activities in a variety of languages. The park features an expanded play area. The playground features a circuit of vibrant painted games. The park also features new seating, a drinking fountain, and new trees to provide shade.
The renovation was made possible by a $1.6 million investment from the City Council. Construction began in October 2022 and finished in October 2023.
Parks Commissioner Donoghue stated, “When this playground was refurbished in the 1970s, the community gave it the name “Rainbow Playground,” the perfect name for a space where diverse communities come together and form something harmonious and beautiful. Now, thanks to this full reconstruction of the playground, we are helping the park live up to its name, with new vibrant colors weaving through the play space and supporting kids’ imagination and exploration. Making our public spaces engaging and accessible is a top priority for us at Parks, and it is especially important in neighborhoods like Sunset Park, where greenspace is at a premium. I am so pleased that we could redesign this playground to give the community more space to play and connect, and I thank our partners in the City Council for their generous support.”
Council Member Zhuang stated, “As a mother of two young girls, I understand our parks are crucial to the development of our children and provide essential spaces for our families and community members to flourish. “It is a joy to be here to celebrate the opening of Rainbow Playground. I look forward to seeing more families here enjoying all of the wonderful new amenities in this park.”
Council Member Alexa Avilés stated, “After years of construction, I’m happy to see the completion of Rainbow Playground’s renovation. “Thank you to NYC Parks for working hard to finish this much needed upgrade. Having seen this project through to the finish line, it’s great to see Rainbow’s new and improved set up ready to go, just in time for the summer.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the Editor of CityLand and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)