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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 18-73
July 19, 2018
deppressoffice@dep.nyc.gov, (718) 595-6600

Department of Environmental Protection Joins NYC Parks to Reopen Stockton Playground After Nearly $5 Million Renovation

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

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) joined NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, City Council Member Robert Cornegy, members of Community Board 3, administrators and students from PS 297, students from Success Academy of Bed Stuy, and local community members to cut the ribbon on Stockton Playground, a Community Parks Initiative (CPI) site in Brooklyn. The $4.9 million reconstruction included an upgraded comfort station and the installation of green infrastructure, made possible through funding provided by the DEP. The comfort station will be completed and reopened this fall.

DEP has committed approximately $50 million in funding for the construction of green infrastructure installations at CPI sites citywide. The green infrastructure will manage the precipitation that falls on the parks, and some of the surrounding streets, keeping it out of the combined sewer system and helping to reduce combined sewer overflows that sometimes occur during heavy rainfall. New York City has the most ambitious and aggressive green infrastructure program in the nation, with thousands of installations currently under construction across the city. In addition to managing stormwater, green infrastructure helps to improve air quality while also providing shade and lowering summertime temperatures.

“DEP is proud to partner with NYC Parks through the Community Parks Initiative, which is transforming neighborhood parks in all five boroughs,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “We have committed more than $50 million to this initiative to install new green infrastructure that will help to both capture stormwater and beautify communities.”

“Like all of the Community Parks Initiative sites, the new Stockton Playground is a reflection of the creative visions and ideas of the community it serves,” said Commissioner Silver. “Thanks to Community Parks Initiative funding, Stockton Playground has gotten the fresh start it deserves with new play equipment for all ages, water features, seat areas, and an upgraded comfort station coming this fall.”

“Stockton Playground has provided critically important open space to this community since 1957. I am extremely grateful that, thanks to the $4.9 million allocated for the reconstruction of this park through the Community Parks Initiative, it has received a much-needed refresh, complete with new play equipment, landscaping, spray shower, courts, and comfort station. These upgrades will allow the residents of Central Brooklyn to continue to gather, recreate, and relax here for many years to come,” said Council Member Cornegy.

The new and improved Stockton Playground now features play equipment for all ages with swings and safety surface; a spray shower, drinking fountains, and benches; landscaping, paving, a renovation of sports courts and a synthetic turf field; and an upgraded comfort station which is set to open in the fall. Parks held a public input meeting in January of 2015 when the design process began, allowing the local community to bring their ideas for Stockton Playground to the table and collaborate on reimagining the space.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than nine million residents, including eight 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 $20.7 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.

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