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Landmarks
Central Park Conservancy restoration of the Safari Playground
WHEREAS, Central Park was established in 1857 on 778 acres of land acquired by the city and open to the public in 1858; and
WHEREAS, Central Park was designated a scenic landmark in 1974, and
WHEREAS, In 2011, the Central Park Conservancy developed the long term Plan for Play, a framework for a program of work to rebuild playgrounds and sustain them into the future; and
WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy is proposing to rebuild the Safari / West 90th Street Playground; and
WHEREAS, The Safari / West 90th Street Playground is located between Central Park West and the West Drive at a high point, with sweeping views of the Reservoir; and
WHEREAS, The playground was originally built in 1936, as part of the system of playgrounds constructed under Parks Commissioner Robert Moses in the marginal landscapes just inside the Park perimeter; and
WHEREAS, The original playground featured equipment and activities typical of the era—including swings, slides, kinder (sand) tables, and a water spray feature; and
WHEREAS, The edge of the oval footprint was delineated by wood and concrete benches with segments of iron pipe rail in between while the existing seven-foot tall steel picket fence was installed in the early 1940s; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the project is to meet the design objectives outlined in the Plan for Play by addressing the relationship between the playground and the Park, the accessibility of the playground, and opportunities to add play value, while building on the success of the current Safari theme; and
WHEREAS, To achieve this goal the Conservancy is proposing the following alterations:
- Modify the existing footprint to create a wider landscape margin between playground and path, enhancing the connection between the playground and the Park landscape and working around existing mature trees.
- Replace the 7-foot steel picket fence with a 4-foot steel picket fence, offset from the edge of the playground.
- Remove existing non-ADA compliant stroller ramp, widen existing stairs, and add handrails.
- Re-grade the entrance path from West 90th Street and create an ADA-accessible route from the foot of the stairs to the playground, set into the steep slope that rises toward the playground, and screened with plantings.
- Install an ADA-accessible gate at the playground entrance.
- Within the playground, build upon the successful Safari theme, adding a series of play mounds around the central play space.
- Incorporate wood climbing elements, platforms, and slides in the largest play mound at the northern end of the playground.
- Construct an enhanced water spray feature on the southern end (in the location of the existing spray), activated by a user-operated bollard that makes the spray feature interactive and conserves water;
- Reactivate this area with play canoes, climbable hippo sculptures, and climbing mounds.
- Scan and recast the existing play hippo sculptures that have deteriorated beyond repair.
WHEREAS, The proposed reconstruction will necessitate the removal of four pine trees, two of which will be repainted elsewhere in Central Park; and
WHEREAS, While CB5 regrets the loss of two pine trees, we understand that this loss will be more than made up for by the planting of 15 new trees and new landscaping; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five commends the Conservancy’s efforts to bring the park to ADA compliance; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the restoration of the Safari playground.