Major grounds improvements, including new pavements, curbs and play equipment, are scheduled for Bronxdale Houses under a $1.8 million contract recently approved by the Board of the New York City Housing Authority.

"This is in keeping with our citywide goal to improve the surroundings for our residents by providing safe, user-friendly areas in which to enjoy their leisure time," NYCHA Chairman Tino Hernandez said.

The contract, awarded to Chelmsford Contracting Corp., of Great Neck, N.Y., calls for the installation of new fences, pavements, steel benches, play equipment, spray showers, game tables, concrete walls, drains and catch basins and planting of trees and shrubs. Work is expected to take about 10 months to complete.

Bronxdale Houses, located in the Bruckner section of the Bronx, has 28 seven-story buildings with 1,496 apartments housing an estimated 3,497 residents on 30.77-acres. Bruckner Boulevard, Soundview and Leland Avenues border the development, which was completed in January 1955.