Local elected officials, New York City Parks Department representatives, and community members celebrated the completion of the first phase of a long-overdue restoration of a popular Bay Ridge playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 17.
The revamped Russell Pedersen Playground, located on Colonial Road between 83rd and 85th streets, is dedicated to U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Russell Pedersen, a frequent volunteer who was killed in the Vietnam War in 1968. The playground now features colorful interactive play structures, fitness equipment, swings — including tandem swings — and a water play area with spray showers.
NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher called the park as a “living tribute” to Pedersen and praised Council Member Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn) for helping secure $5.5 million in funding for the playground’s redesign.
“Does anybody remember what it used to look like?” Maher asked. “I mean, this whole park was really lousy. So we’re really grateful for what the council member has invested. [Brannan] has fostered some $92 million directly and then got the mayor to ante up another $103 million for the boardwalk at Coney Island.”
Brannan said one of the “coolest” parts of his job as a council member was renovating the parks and playgrounds he frequented as a youngster, and he collaborated with Maher to revitalize parks and playgrounds in his district that had been long neglected.
“Almost eight years later, we’ve almost touched every single park and playground in this district, and now we’re working on Coney Island, where there’s a lot of work,” Brannan said.
Brannan also presented Maher with a symbolic check for $4 million to fund the second phase of improvements at Russell Pedersen Playground.
One criticism Brannan said he has heard from constituents is that other neighborhoods have nicer parks and playgrounds. He noted that once phase two is completed, the recreational space will span an entire city block.
“Now, with the work that we’re doing here, I think we’re getting to the point where hopefully people are going to start to come to Bay Ridge and say, ‘How come we can’t have parks as nice as we have in Bay Ridge?'” he said. “And certainly Russell Peterson and Fort Hamilton behind us are a big, big example of that.”
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn) said he has spent a significant amount of time at the newly renovated playground with his children.
“We’re here almost every other day, whether it’s playing here, running through the sprinklers, enjoying the playground, or being here with friends. It really is a remarkable place,” said Gounardes, thanking Brannan for prioritizing parks and playgrounds. “I’m thankful to have a space to take my kids, and I know that on behalf of all the families in the neighborhood who love living here, we’re grateful to have a place where families can play.”
Fitness enthusiast Danny tested his stamina on the new equipment, which includes a pull-up station, variable press and knee-lift dip station, among others. He told Brooklyn Paper the park had improved “1,000%.”
“It’s a lot better than before, that’s for sure. I can’t complain. There’s a lot of stuff to do here,” said Danny, who said he believes the cleaner environment and upgrades will motivate people to get outside and step up their exercise routines. “There’s so much variety, you can’t go wrong.”
