1APRIL 28 – MAY 4, 2017 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP playground coming this summer BY JAIME DEJESUS [email protected] It’s coming sooner than expected! After word that the Sunset Park playground would be closed for another summer, the New York City Parks Department has revealed that part of it will in fact be open by June, with the full area to be completed by July. “Parks is happy to share an update on the opening of Sunset Park Playground,” said an agency spokesperson in a statement. “We anticipate opening a small swing set portion in June and in July, opening the playground in its entirety.” Sunset kids expressing disappointment before the news of the playground reopening was shared by the Parks Department. In addition, there will also be activities for kids during construction. beginning, had also voiced his frustration. community needs to be more of a priority. The play area, which began its “We were promised it was going “The community isn’t that quick long-awaited reconstruction in April to be reopened for the spring this year. to mobilize for whatever reason,” she of 2016, was slated to open this spring, That park services thousands of kids. said. “If it was happening to neighbors then June 1, and was then scheduled It’s always crowded. The only green to the north or south, people would to open in September, much to the space at a playground is like 34 blocks be mobilizing in larger numbers, and dismay of Sunset Park parents and away.” forcing the issue. There’s no accountability children, some of whom learned Elizabeth believes the Sunset or oversight for the Parks about the delay during Community Board 7’s Wednesday, April 19 monthly meeting. The board discovered the setback, according to District Manager Jeremy Laufer, after visiting the New York City Parks Department’s site that tracks the progress of the construction, which currently reads that it is 36 percent complete. However, the revised opening was a relief for Laufer and CB 7. “Our children and families of Sunset Park deserve the best outdoor spaces and amenities we can provide,” the board said in a statement. “We are thrilled to learn that NYC Parks has come up with a solution to prevent the children of our community from going another entire summer without the use of the playground in Sunset Park.” The playground didn’t get to this point without some nudging from the community. Livid at both the lack of communication and the long delay, Sunset mother and assistant principal at FDR High School Elizabeth Messmann had organized a rally on Saturday, April 21 outside the gated playground. “For children, playgrounds are a big part of socialization, and even parents socialize,” she said. “It’s a place for neighbors to congregate. I think as an educator, you see firsthand the snowballing effect of not having quality outdoor space for students.” Her husband Victor, who has followed the lack of progress from 0Sunset the Photo courtesy of Victor Messmann. Department here.” The $3 million-plus renovation, funded by Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council, will bring new play equipment, swings, a spray shower and other amenities to the park’s playground at 44th Street and Sixth Avenue. Sunset library subject of workshop BY JAIME DEJESUS [email protected] Sunset residents got together with Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) representatives on Thursday, April 20, for their first workshop since the long-proposed and controversial extensive makeover for the Sunset Park branch at 5108 Fourth Avenue got the green light last month. Members of the BPL, design/build non-profit organization Hester Street Collaborative and the Fifth Avenue Committee met with attendees in a packed room in the facility’s lower level and gave information in several languages as well as provide a opportunity for neighborhood residents to sound off on how the current plan could improve. “It’s the beginning of what is a critical phase of this project,” Executive Vice President of External Affairs for BPL David Woloch told this paper. “The whole point of this exercise is we’re going to get a bigger and better library, but it’s critical that the planning around that be predicated on what people in the community want to see in their library and that’s what this particular process is about.” “As frequent users of this branch, you know what a great staff we have here,” added Michele Bonan, vice president of government and community relations for BPL. “We also know the limitations of this space. You and the staff deserve a better library and we’re going to have one and this is the beginning of the conversation to plan for it.” According to current plans, another focus group will be held in June. The branch is slated to close at the end of the summer, the same time that the interim library will open in the landmarked courthouse, 4201 Fourth Avenue. Construction is planned to begin in winter 2018, with an official grand opening in the early part of 2020. The current 12,200-square-foot space will be increased 20,755 square feet, with 18,200 open to the public on two and a half floors. In addition, 49 permanently affordable apartments will also be available, including 11 studios, 13 one-bedrooms, 13 two-bedrooms and 12 three-bedrooms. Nine units will be reserved for families making up $27,000 a year and half of the units will be reserved for CB 7 residents. Isella Ramirez of Hester Street, gave a presentation on the plans. “We want to show you what we heard from previous meetings and find out from you what’s missing,” she said. "We want to know who wasn’t in the room tonight and go to them and make sure that their opinions are captured. We most importantly want to collect your ideas and priorities for your future library." Following the presentation, the attendees went into break-up sessions. Joan Botti of CB 7 was happy with what was presented and what is planned. “This is a wonderful endeavor because the children and the community at large need an updated facility,” she said. “Nothing works here anymore, so moving the library temporarily to the community board is great since it’s a nice, large space. When they come back here, having a larger space, they’ll be able to have up-to-date computers, more books, etc.” "You and the staff deserve a better library and we’re going to have one and this is the beginning of the conversation to plan for it.” -- Michele Bonan
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