Strides were made at Stroud Playground this past week!
NYC Parks cut the ribbon on a newly renovated Crown Heights playground just in time for summer with the City Council, the Prospect Park Alliance, PTA leaders from Elijah Stroud/PS 316, and the rest of the Crown Heights Community on hand to celebrate the opening of Stroud Playground.
Bringing more foliage, fun, and space to soak up the sun, the Stroud Playground opened its gates to the public on May 17 after construction was completed in January 2019.
Now equipped with features for people of all ages and abilities, Stroud Playground’s impressive inventory of swings, basketball and handball courts, a walking track, fitness equipment, water fountains, and an interactive spray shower promises oodles of fun for Kings County parkgoers.
“Every child deserves safe places to play and exercise outside, yet too many of the poorest neighborhoods lack these spaces. I’m so happy that the youth in this area will get to enjoy this beautiful new space with their families,” said state Sen. Zellnor Myriem (D-Crown Heights).
Funded by Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo (D-Crown Heights), this $5 million dollar project is part larger initiative — the Community Park Initiative — that was launched in 2014 to improve 67 neighborhood parks throughout New York City.
“Stroud Playground was one of the original five sites in Brooklyn announced as part of the Community Parks Initiative, and it is rewarding to finally see the community enjoying the very space they dreamed up,” NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver said.
Joining Silver at the ribbon ceremony marking the park’s total reconstruction was Prospect Park Alliance’s President Sue Donoghue, along with COO & CFO James Snow, and many members of the community.
“We hope it will serve as a model for future New York City playgrounds,” said Donoghue.
Cumbo said that while the transformation at Stroud was the partially the product of the City Council’s commitment to advocating for city parks, the project was a community effort, as well.
“As a mother, mentor, guardian and Brooklynite, I firmly understand the value of recreation and how it fosters a positive impact on future generations,” said Cumbo, “The many amenities associated with Stroud will serve as a prominent example of what can happen when communities come together around positive causes.”
