www.BXTimes.com BRONX WEEKLY May 19, 2019 2
Blackrock Playground celebrates $1.9M in renovations
BY PATRICK ROCCHIO
A ribbon cutting was held for
the $1.9 million renovation of
Blackrock Playground in Soundview
on Friday, May 10, capping
off an overhaul that is part of the
city’s Community Parks Initiative.
The new play area features
new play equipment, swings, water
spray and seating areas, and it
was funded by the mayor’s offi ce.
Students from nearby P.S. 119
and local residents should make
ample use of it, said William Rivera,
Community Board 9 district
manager.
Rivera said that the community
board had tremendous input
with the NYC Parks Department
on its design, and the board is anticipating
the park’s renaming in
memory of a woman who gave her
life in service to her city.
After receiving unanimous
board support, CB 9 drafted a letter
dated Thursday May 9 to Mitchell
Silver, NYC Parks Department
commissioner, requesting that
the park be named or co-named
in honor of FDNY-EMT Yadira
Arroyo, who on March 16, 2017
was tragically killed in the line of
duty after being dragged and run
over at Watson Avenue and White
Plains Road, which is very close
to Blackrock Playground.
Arroyo left behind fi ve sons.
She was assigned to Station 26,
where she would periodically feed
the homeless in McKinley Square
Park across the street from the
station, according to several of
her former co-workers, said Rivera,
who was a FDNY-EMT for
years.
“The community board believes
that this proposal of esteem
and recognition is the least
we could do as a community for
FDNY-EMT Yadiro Arroyo,”
states the CB 9 letter to Silver,
adding that “in March 2020, we
hope to have the offi cial naming
of Yadira Arroyo Park as part of
her third anniversary.”
Assemblywoman Karines
Reyes supports the CB 9 request.
“EMT Yadira Arroyo was a
true public servant who gave her
life for this community,” stated
Reyes in a Friday, May 10 letter,
adding that Arroyo took care
of those in need and as a registered
nurse, the assemblywoman
knows how important her job is
and has immense respect for her
sacrifi ce.”
Reyes added: “A very fi tting
tribute to her service and sacrifi
A ribbon cutting for $1.9 million in renovations to Black Rock Playground took place on Friday, May 10.
Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
ce would be renaming Blackrock
Playground…in her honor.”
Rivera said that he is in the
process of getting letters of support
from the principal of P.S. 119
and the FDNY’s Hispanic Society.
“Every line of duty death is
horrible, but this one especially
touched the people in my district,”
said Rivera.
As a they await a decision,
children in the community have a
new playground, which includes
a water sprinkler area designed
to link play areas for older and
younger children, as well as new
plantings and improved drainage
and water supply systems.
“The transformation of Black
Rock playground is incredible,”
said Silver. “I recall the way
it looked when we fi rst broke
ground, and I am thrilled to see
how this space has been reconstructed
and renewed for parkgoers
of every generation to enjoy.”
NYC’s Community Parks Initiative
is reinvesting in smaller
public parks throughout the
Bronx.
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