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Landmarks
Reconstruction of the Central Park's North Harlem Meer Landscape, Shoreline, and Playground
WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy has presented to Community Board Five a detailed informational overview of their proposed reconstruction of the North Harlem Meer Landscape, Shoreline, and the 110th Street Playground; and
WHEREAS, This project is part of the Conservancy's effort to restore the Harlem Meer landscape, reversing the urbanizing impact of twentieth-century projects that dramatically altered its historic character; and
WHEREAS, This project is a continuation of the Conservancy's work to increase the opportunities for patrons to interact with the landscape, and to develop an innovative play space for children that better integrates the play experience into the park, based on their comprehensive plan for the park's playgrounds, Plan for Play; and
WHEREAS, This project has the following stated design goals:
1. To restore and enhance the character of the landscape on the north side of the Meer;
2. To provide traditional play equipment and features within a landscape setting that blurs the boundary between the playground and the park while still maintaining the security of a playground;
3. To provide opportunities for landscape play within a dedicated and contained space that offers children more latitude to explore relatively freely and independently, and fosters their relationship to the park; and
WHEREAS, The proposed alteration and restoration work includes:
1. Reconstructing the landscape surrounding the playground, including realignment and re-grading of park paths, reconstruction of drainage infrastructure, lawn restoration, and extension and planting of the shoreline, to enhance the landscape character and improve access to and circulation around the playground as well as its physical and functional connection to the park;
2. Reconstructing the playground as a series of distinct play spaces shaped as overlapping circles connected by a meandering path, each with their own play equipment and features for active play, including swings, climbers, and a water spray feature, while retaining the general size of the existing playground;
3. Relocating the playground slightly to the north, providing improved access to the Meer and creating open play areas outside the playground for older children, with secure gated entrances to the east and west, and a new, minimally visible fence that will allow for some new planting inside the playground meant for "secure landscape play" for younger children;
4. Creating a transitional zone for landscape play around and between the structured play spaces, using plantings, natural materials, and informal gathering spaces, to define a park-like environment with opportunities for exploration and social play;
5. Rebuilding pathways with ADA-compliant handrails where the grade requires; and
WHEREAS, The budget for this project is projected at roughly $3 million, to be funded by the Conservancy; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five supports the proposed reconstruction and restoration work; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of Central Park Conservancy's proposal for the reconstruction of the North Harlem Meer Landscape, Shoreline, and the 110th Street Playground.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.