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Landmarks
Central Park Conservancy’s application to reconstruct the East 76th Street Playground
WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy has proposed to reconstruct the playground located in Central Park near Fifth Avenue at 76th Street, known as the East 76th Street Playground; and
WHEREAS, The East 76th Street Playground, established in 1935 as one of the twenty-one playgrounds located in Central Park originally consisted of a fenced, paved space with free-standing equipment; and
WHEREAS, There have been previous modifications to this playground:
WHEREAS, Funding is now available to address universal design requirements and current safety standards, and to enhance the play value for contemporary users; and
WHEREAS, In order to provide a more ADA compliant playground, the site will be re-graded to provide more accessible routes throughout the playground, and existing toddler swings will be replaced with new ADA-accessible equipment; and
WHEREAS, New play equipment for toddlers will be added to at the north end of the playground, where currently there is none; and
WHEREAS, In order to address safety concerns, the applicant proposes to remove the water spray activity from its current location on the top step of the Sophie Loeb Fountain and to relocate this to a new at-grade area within the playground; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to modify the existing sandbox by removing the steps on either side and creating a seat wall flanked by ramps with handrails that mirror the elevated play area at the opposite end of the playground; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to restore steps at the fountain to their original condition, and enhance perimeter plantings, and the planting islands within the playground; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes that the proposed modifications and upgrades are beneficial both to users of the East 76th Street Playground as well as to other visitors to Central Park; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five Parks Committee recommends approval of Central Park Conservancy’s application to reconstruct the East 76th Street Playground.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.