The new play equipment at Jamaica Playground. Image Credit: Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit.
On September 27, 2023, the Parks Department joined Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., Assemblywoman Vivian Cooke, members of Queens Community Board 12, and students from P.S. 40 Samuel Huntington Elementary School to celebrate the completed renovation of Jamaica Playground in Jamaica, Queens. The playground is located on Brinkerhoff Avenue between 160th Street and Union Hall Street.
The children’s play area received new play equipment for both kids aged 2 to 5 and aged 5 to 12. Ground level play panels serve as sensory experiences for kids. The playground’s basketball courts have been relocated and now include two additional practice courts. The playground’s new ground spray shower area also provides more space to play during the colder months when the showers are off.
The playground also received a new seating area with benches and game tables. New plantings and trees have been added across the playground. Universally accessible ramps have also been added to provide better access to the playground.
The project cost $4.6 million and was funded by the Mayor’s Office.
Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue stated, “Neighborhood parks like Jamaica Playground are the focal points of fun for countless children, and we could not be more excited to unveil these new amenities. For nearly 80 years, Jamaica Playground has served a vital purpose in the community, giving kids increased opportunities for connection, play, and learning, and with these new amenities, we hope this playground will continue to inspire well into the future.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. stated, “Every single Queens family deserves high-quality park space in their community, regardless of ZIP code or socioeconomic status. But for far too long, our city has fallen behind when it comes to investing in that kind of open space across Southeast Queens. The $4.6 million new Jamaica Playground and its many state-of-the-art amenities flips that script, however. Finally, Jamaica families have a park that is worthy of them. It’s why I’m proud to have invested $36 million into our parks during my tenure as Borough President and it’s why I’m proud to continue to partner with the Parks Department to deliver more play spaces like the Jamaica Playground to communities across Queens.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the Editor of CityLand and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)