October 17th, 2023 – New York, NY
Today, Council Member Shaun Abreu celebrated $7.4 million in funding secured for Ten Mile River Playground in Riverside Park in the FY24 budget—a historic investment in green space made possible by Speaker Adrienne Adams.
Council Member Abreu and Speaker Adams were joined by NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, the Riverside Park Conservancy, and community members at the playground’s basketball courts to announce this first phase of a long-term plan to revitalize and winterize the recreational space at Ten Mile River Playground.
Located along the Hudson River, Ten Mile River Playground and adjacent lawns are a popular section of Riverside Park that draws kids and families from West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, and Washington Heights. This $7.4 million investment will go towards critical renovations to the park’s infrastructure. The field house, which has not been renovated since the 1930s, will be completely refurbished including the public restrooms, storage space, and office space for parks field staff, and it will be provided with heat so it can remain open all year instead of being forced to close during the winter months. In addition to heating, the building will undergo a full interior renovation to provide ADA-accessibility, new windows, water-efficient toilets, and energy-saving lights and hand dryers.
“Growing up in Washington Heights, the northern end of Riverside Park was one of the few green spaces we had access to. Fortunately for us, it is one of the most gorgeous parks in the entire city: families from all over the West Side come here to enjoy the park’s recreational facilities, playgrounds, and precious waterfront access to the Hudson River. Ten Mile River Playground is an especially cherished space within the park for families in Uptown Manhattan, but it has been in dire need of repairs for over half a century now. Thanks to Speaker Adams and her commitment to growing access to green spaces for underserved neighborhoods, we are making sure this playground’s infrastructure is upgraded to keep it open all year round. This investment is a huge win for our community,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu.
“For decades, Ten Mile River Playground has been an anchor for neighborhoods in Upper Manhattan, providing critical green public space for residents to gather, rest, and play,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The Council is proud to have secured $7.4 million in capital funding to help make vital infrastructure and safety improvements that will help winterize the park, making it available to visitors year-round. I am grateful for the partnership of Council Member Abreu, the Parks Department, and the Riverside Park Conservancy to help make these renovations possible so that future generations can enjoy this precious open space for years to come.”
“Our public parks provide safe, beautiful spaces for New Yorkers to take in the great outdoors, connect with neighbors, and stay healthy. Soon, thanks to the critical infrastructure improvements we’ll be making here, New Yorkers will be able to access the field house at Ten Mile River Playground year-round,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Ten Mile River Playground is one of the most popular destinations in all of Riverside Park, and I’m so grateful to Speaker Adams and Council Member Abreu for securing the substantial investment that this space deserves.”
“Ten Mile River Playground is a critical asset in a neighborhood starved for access to nature and opportunities for play. Unfortunately, its supporting infrastructure – like so many of our city’s most valuable green spaces – suffered decades of under-valuing and underinvestment.” said Merritt Birnbaum, President & CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy. “Thanks to Speaker Adams and Council Member Abreu, this vital piece of our Park will now see the improvements it deserves. The Conservancy looks forward to working alongside our partners in NYC Parks to build on the momentum and continue investing more resources in this important section of the Park.”
