STONE HARBOR – Borough Engineer Marc DeBlasio told Borough Council on Tuesday, March 5, that it is possible for the 97th Street playground to have new play equipment and a new safety surface in time for summer 2024 if the council invests now in advance of knowing how the borough application for a county Open Space grant will play out.
DeBlasio estimated that the playground equipment and safety surface would cost roughly $600,000. Since that spending, if it were done now for the 2024 season, would be in advance of the county grant process, the grant, if awarded, would not cover those costs. DeBlasio said the best case would be to position the expense for the playground portion as a borough cost that counts toward the 40% match requirement for the Open Space grant.
The total project is estimated at $1.7 million and includes a new administration and equipment building, bathrooms, adjustments to the basketball court, and shade structures. The total park/playground would also include picnic tables and benches.
DeBlasio indicated that the council needs to decide if it wants to invest in advance of the grant process in order to have the playground portion ready for 2024. The borough website says the 97th Street playground will be the “first up for fun,” but it provides no schedule.
Both the 97th and 82nd streets playgrounds have been stripped of play equipment that was badly eroded by the salt air and deemed unsafe. The 82nd Street playground is not being discussed as an immediate effort. If the 97th Street playground equipment and safety surface project does not move ahead for 2024, residents and visitors to the borough will be encouraged to look to Chelsea Park as their option.
Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
