Morningside Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, October 2, 2008

A New Day In Morningside Park

Daniel Avila

On September 25, Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined by City Council Member Inez Dickens, State Senator Bill Perkins, Community Board 9 Chair Patricia Jones, Friends of Morningside Park President David Rosenberger, and kids from Kipp Star Charter School, P.S. 180, and Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School to cut the ribbon on renovations to the Morningside Park Playground at West 116th Street.

“Today’s ribbon cutting for Morningside Playground is another milestone in the renaissance of this historic park,” said Commissioner Benepe. “Thanks to designer Alex Hart and input from community members, including the Friends of Morningside Park, the new play space is more accessible and inviting to all children in the community, with updated play equipment, more trees, an open lawn, and an accessible ramp. This project was made possible with generous funding allocations from Council Member Dickens, Assembly Member Perkins, and Mayor Bloomberg, transforming this former concrete desert into a picturesque recreational amenity.”

Funded by allocations of $1 million from Council Member Dickens, $1 million from State Senator Perkins, while he was a member of the City Council, and $232,000 from Mayor Bloomberg, the reconstructed playground now offers universal access to modern play equipment and a restored spray shower. The southern portion of the elevated concrete deck has been completely removed and restored to a state similar to the original Olmsted & Vaux plan, with open lawns and trees.

A ramp has also been constructed at West 116th Street to provide universal access to this new playground for the disabled and for parents using strollers.

Morningside Park was constructed in the late 19th century, with its name derived from its eastern side where the sun rises each morning. Its design evolved in the 20th century and in the early 1950s, a large concrete slab was imposed on the naturalized lawn between West 116th and 119th Streets. Intended to serve as a platform for a wide variety of recreation needs, it deteriorated over time and became known in the community as “the aircraft carrier.”

GO GREEN!

Eco-Tip of the Day:

Reuse your water bottle. Avoid buying bottled water. In fact, reuse everything at least once, especially plastics.

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