FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 18-41
May 2, 2018
deppressoffice@dep.nyc.gov; 718-595-6600

Department of Environmental Protection Joins NYC Parks to Reopen Ranaqua Playground After $3.5 Million Renovation

One of 17 CPI Projects Planned in the Bronx

Green Infrastructure will Absorb Stormwater, Cleanup East River and Improve Air Quality

Photos Available Here

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection joined NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, Council Member Diana Ayala and students from Mott Haven Academy on Tuesday to cut the ribbon on the renovated Ranaqua Playground. This is among the first of 17 Bronx parks that will be reconstructed under the Community Parks Initiative (CPI).

To manage stormwater runoff, green infrastructure has been added throughout Ranaqua Park. Green features include a rain garden, permeable pavers, synthetic turf field and flood-tolerant plants which, combined, are able to capture up to 99,000 gallons of stormwater per rain event. DEP has committed approximately $50 million in funding for green infrastructure installations at CPI sites throughout the city, helping to reduce sewer overflows that sometimes occur during heavy rainfall, improve air quality and lower summertime temperatures.

“DEP is proud to be a partner in NYC Parks’ Community Parks Initiative which is transforming neighborhood parks across the city,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “The newly installed turf field, permeable pavers, and rain garden at this park will help to reduce stormwater runoff, improve the health of surrounding waterways, and beautify the neighborhood.”

“The kids of Mott Haven—especially the students at Mott Haven Academy Charter School—use this playground every single day,” said Commissioner Silver. “They are coming out in droves to play football on the new synthetic turf, cool off in the spray shower and tear around the playground. Before we started construction, there was only a worn-down basketball court and a patchy field. We are so thrilled to give this community the quality playground they deserve.”

Ranaqua Playground now features a synthetic turf field, a spray shower and entirely new, ADA-accessible play equipment with toy drum features, swings and safety surfacing. Trees and greenery have also been added to the park, along with a rain garden to collect storm water. This project $3.5 million project was funded by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Also on Tuesday, the City broke ground on another CPI site in the Bronx—Longfellow Garden. Launched by Mayor de Blasio in October 2014, CPI strives to make NYC Parks a more equitable and accessible parks system by investing in smaller parks that are located in New York City’s densely-populated neighborhoods with higher-than-average concentrations of poverty. Through CPI, the City is investing $318 million in capital dollars to make renovations to 67 parks citywide that have not undergone significant improvements in decades.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high quality drinking water each day to more than 9.6 million residents, including 8.6 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP has nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 in the upstate watershed. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $19.1 billion in investments over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.