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Landmarks
Central Park Conservancy restoration of the 96th Street 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 East 96th Street Playground; and
WHEREAS, The East 96th Street Playground is located east of the Reservoir and south of the 96th Street Transverse; and
WHEREAS, The original playground was built in 1936, as part of the system of playgrounds constructed under Parks Commissioner Robert Moses in the marginal landscapes along the Park perimeter; and
WHEREAS, The original playground was oval in shape and included equipment and activities typical of the era, including swings, slides, seesaws, kinder (sand) tables, and a water spray feature; and
WHEREAS, The edge of the playground was delineated by wood and concrete benches and a low pipe-rail fence; and
WHEREAS, The existing seven-foot tall steel picket fence was installed in the 1940s; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the project is to meet the design objectives outlined in the Plan for Play by specifically addressing the accessibility of the playground, the relationship between the playground and the park, and the variety of play experiences for children ages 2-12; and
WHEREAS, The Conservancy is proposing to modify the existing footprint to create a wider landscape margin between the playground and the access path, enhancing the connection between the playground and the Park landscape and working around existing mature trees; and
WHEREAS, The Conservancy is proposing to add a picnic area in the southern end of the playground that is contained while blended in Park landscape; and
WHEREAS, The Conservancy is proposing to re-grade the playground, which currently slopes and steps down from west to east, leveling the ground plane to the lower elevation to remove barriers and improve the playground’s relationship to the park; and
WHEREAS, In order to lower the west side of the playground, the Conservancy is proposing to install concrete seat walls (18” high) that would retain the grade outside the playground; and
WHEREAS, The Conservancy is proposing to replace the 7-foot steel picket fence with a 4-foot steel picket fence to soften the cage-like effect while still maintaining the security of the area; and
WHEREAS, The Conservancy is proposing to install a lightweight mesh fence (to ensure that the play environment is contained) screened by the plantings around the picnic area and behind the concrete retaining/seat walls (where there is sufficient opportunity for planting), using the same style and materials as the fence developed for recently reconstructed playgrounds including East 110th, Wild West, East 72nd, and West 84th Street; and
WHEREAS, The Conservancy is proposing to re-grade the entrance path from East 96th Street and create an ADA-accessible route to the playground, consisting of a ramp set into the landscape and screened by plantings including new mature trees; and
WHEREAS, The proposed path necessitates the removal of 4 trees; and
WHEREAS, The Conservancy is proposing to install an ADA-accessible gate at the playground entrance; and
WHEREAS, The Conservancy is proposing to reorganize the play spaces to better separate 2-5 and 5-12 age groups and allow for easy circulation between them; and
WHEREAS, The Conservancy is proposing to construct an enhanced water spray feature at the center of the playground, activated by a user-operated bollard that makes the spray feature interactive and conserves water; and
WHEREAS, The Conservancy is proposing to relocate the sand area to the 2-5 years old play area and to include an ADA accessible sand table; and
WHEREAS, The Conservancy is proposing to move existing swing area for 2-5 year-olds that currently includes six bucket swings to the northern end of the playground and replace them with three bucket swings, four strap swings, and one ADA-accessible swing; and
WHEREAS, While CB5 laments the loss of 10% of the play area, we realize that the overall enhancement of the large playground more than makes up for this loss; and
WHEREAS, The 4 trees to be removed are in poor condition and will be replaced with mature trees and shrubs; and
WHEREAS, The committee also appreciates the effort made by the Conservancy to bring the park up to ADA standards, therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the reconstruction of the 96th St playground.