One often sees odd things in Bushwick. Live chickens in someone’s driveway might top my list of all-time neighborhood quirks. But right below Bushwick free-range chicken has to be the playground on Jefferson St. between Knickerbocker and Irving. The playground, which sits on a lot between two apartment buildings, wouldn’t be so bizarre was it not for the space’s strange motif: the red and blue playground is strewn with the insignia of the storied NHL franchise, the New York Rangers.
I believe I can say with 99% certainty that not one child on this predominantly Hispanic block plays hockey (here’s the extensive Wikipedia list of Latino Ice Hockey Players). So why is there a New York Rangers playground on Jefferson Street?
Some Google searching led me to this article in the Daily News. The playground’s construction in 2003 was a joint venture between the New York Rangers, Home Depot, and KaBOOM! – "a Washington-based nonprofit organization that has created nearly 600 playgrounds nationwide."According to the article, the playground cost around $65,000 to build, $15,000 of which was donated by the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council.
That money has gone to waste: the playground is now closed. The shining red and blue amenities of the lot which, according to one page on the KaBOOM! website, include a cloud walk, adventure bridge, turbo tower, wave ladder, hand trek, flip flop, cliff hanger, pipe wall (with telescope), a matrix wall and, of course, a swing, are surrounded by tall weeds and a locked black gate. A mini concrete hockey rink was even built in the back of the lot, perhaps to foster the playing of the relatively unpopular sport. A sign thanking the Rangers, Home Depot, and KaBOOM! still remains.
A representative of KaBOOM! was not aware that the playground was closed and advised me to check with Scott Schwartz of the RBSCC about the status of the grounds. Schwartz, in turn, informed me that responsibility of the park rests largely with the tenants association on the block. He said that the association decides when to open and close the park and that he would look into the issue. I’ve lived across the street since January and have yet to see it open. The tragedy is that an authentic New York Rangers matrix wall is not being utilized to its full potential.
Hrag June 20th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
It’s great you did this…playgrounds are essential!
Jimmy Legs June 20th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
that sucks, i dunno what all goes into a tenants’ association decision, but you’d think they could open the damn place, kids on my block play in an overgrown vacant lot, could this be any less safe? then again, they are promoting a sport known for its fighting and tooth-loss.
Jeremy Sapienza June 20th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I think RBSCC should run a tooth-loss prevention program to counter the nefarious cultural effects of this park on our local youth. Hey Vito, can you lobby some dough for that? I’m sure you have a second cousin who could administer it.
Jesse June 21st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I have lived right accross the street from this playground for a few years and it does open. Its current state leaves a lot to be desired and it could certainly suit the needs of the neighborhood better, but it does, in fact, open.
It operates the same as hundreds of other community gardens and playgrounds around the city in that the block association maintains it and decides when to open it. From what Ive noticed, this one seems to stay closed all winter long and then the weeds begin to build up in the spring. At that point, they clean it up a bit and open it up to the neighborhood on most days. The kids on the block don’t use it much but during the warmer months it has almost always been open.
My guess is that they’ve been slow to get around to it this year because all of the people who usually clean it up have been busy fixing up the community garden on the other end of the block (closer to Irving).
D. Saunders June 24th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I’m glad someone called this out. I’ve been here on Jefferson Street almost 2 years and only saw it open once or twice.
Who / what / where is the Block Tenant’s Association on Jefferson? I live here and have never seen any trace of a block association.
Jesse June 28th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
the block assocation sometimes leaves notices on our doors regarding meetings and/or getting involved with the garden/block parties/etc. a few summers ago there was even one day where they asked people on the block to help clean up the playground. a handful of people where out there weeding all afternoon. if you want to get involved with the block association, im sure you can find someone at the garden who can fill you in more.
Mike December 1st, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I’ve been on the block for more than four years and I have never seen anyone inside it. What’s happening?