Electric Playground takes its name from Electchester Homes, a housing development opened in the early 1950s through the efforts of Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. (1903-1986), head of Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (IBEW).
Electchester Homes is on the former grounds of the 136-acre Pomonok Country Club, whose 300 members voted to disband in 1949. The subsequent 38-building community was built in response to the housing shortage faced by city residents after World War II. The members of the union each contributed $100 towards the Electchester’s construction, with the union matching the amount raised. The IBEW also donated land on the grounds for the construction of P.S. 200 and Electric Playground.