Kids from Henry Street Settlement were the stars of the show at this morning’s celebration to reopen Henry M. Jackson Playground.
Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver was there, along with local elected officials and community leaders, for a ribbon cutting ceremony. $1.9 million was made available for the renovation under the city’s Community Parks Initiative, which targets neglected public spaces in low-income communities. The playground, located where Jackson, Madison and Henry streets meet, hadn’t received much attention in about 20 years.
A community visioning process helped shape the new design.  There’s a new intermediate-sized basketball court and two junior courts with new hoops and backstops. The handball court was also resurfaced, there are new picnic tables and lighting for security. The Department of Environmental Protection provided funding for permeable pavement and plant beds to help with storm water run-off.
The playground also includes a refurbished 9/11 tribute mural that was facilitated by the non-profit group CityArts.
Sol Lain Playground, just up the street from Henry M. Jackson Playground, is also being renovated. It’s scheduled to reopen in October.
