October 2, 2026 | Albany, NY – Governor Kathy Hochul has awarded $3 million in discretionary State capital funding to Riverside Park Conservancy for improvements to the pavilion and public restrooms at Dinosaur Playground in Riverside Park, with support from New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer’s office.
“When governments invest in our parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities, we are investing in our children’s health and future,” Governor Hochul said. “As New York’s first mom governor, I am proud to offer this financial support to Riverside Park Conservancy for improvements into the Dinosaur Playground facilities. This funding will ensure that families have a safe and welcoming community space to get offline, get outside and come together.”
Dinosaur Playground, located in Riverside Park near West 97th Street, is a popular neighborhood playground used by families throughout the Upper West Side. Its historic pavilion was built in the 1930s and contains the only public restrooms in the immediate area. Decades of heavy use and water infiltration have left the building with deteriorated interiors, rusted doors and partitions, outdated fixtures, poor lighting, damaged ceilings and accessibility challenges.
The renovation will make possible a comprehensive upgrade of the restrooms, including durable new finishes, improved lighting, updated fixtures and accessibility improvements. The project also includes roof, terrace and stair repairs; new waterproofing; restoration of masonry, ironwork, windows and other architectural details; upgraded drinking fountains; and a new water service, meter and backflow-prevention system.
“There is nothing so basic yet so vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities as having public restrooms that are functional, accessible and welcoming,” said Merritt Birnbaum, President & CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy. “Governor Hochul’s investment gives us a real opportunity to restore this historic pavilion and provide the modern facilities that families deserve when they come to Dinosaur Playground. We are grateful to Council Member Brewer and our local State elected officials for helping to move this desperately needed project forward.”
The funding comes as Council Member Brewer and Riverside Park Conservancy have continued to call for greater investment in public bathrooms throughout Riverside Park. In testimony before the City Council, the Conservancy has highlighted deteriorating restroom conditions across the park, including broken fixtures at Dinosaur Playground.
“We have been working for years to secure funding to repair and upgrade public bathrooms throughout the district, and Governor Hochul’s $3 million investment is a major win for the Upper West Side,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer. “These are expensive, long-neglected infrastructure needs that cannot be fixed with a new sink or a coat of paint. I thank the Governor for making this renovation possible, Riverside Park Conservancy for its persistence, and NYC Parks for its partnership. With the Mayor now investing in additional public bathrooms across the city, we also have an opportunity to tackle the condition of the facilities we already have.”
Council Member Brewer’s office supported Riverside Park Conservancy’s request to Governor Hochul for State capital funding for the project. Brewer has also pushed for additional City investment in Riverside Park’s public bathrooms and other basic park infrastructure. The $3 million award from the Governor builds on other State support for the pavilion and restroom renovation. Then-State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal nominated a $100,000 CREST grant for the project, State Senator Erik Bottcher nominated a $150,000 CREST grant for the project, and Assemblymember Micah C. Lasher nominated an additional $50,000 CREST grant, bringing the full project funding total to $3.3 million.
State Senator Erik Bottcher said, “Dinosaur Playground is a beloved gathering place for families across the Upper West Side, and this $3 million investment will help ensure its facilities are safe, accessible and welcoming for everyone who uses them. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for making this significant investment in Riverside Park and to Riverside Park Conservancy for its tireless stewardship of this treasured public space. I’m proud to have secured an additional $150,000 in State funding for this project and I look forward to seeing these improvements come to life for our community.”
Assemblymember Micah Lasher said, “Public restrooms are basic infrastructure, and families at Dinosaur Playground have made do with deteriorating facilities for far too long. Governor Hochul’s $3 million investment means this historic 1930s pavilion will finally get the full renovation it needs. I was proud to support this project, and I’m grateful to the Governor, Councilmember Brewer, the Riverside Park Conservancy and NYC Parks for seeing it through.”
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “Dinosaur Playground’s historic pavilion has served generations of Upper West Side families, but it’s long overdue for the repairs needed to keep it safe, accessible and welcoming. As a State Senator, I was proud to secure $100,000 toward its restoration. Governor Hochul’s $3 million investment will help preserve this neighborhood landmark, from its roof and masonry to the public restrooms so many parkgoers rely on. I thank the Governor, Council Member Gale Brewer, Assemblymember Micah Lasher, State Senator Erik Bottcher, Riverside Park Conservancy and NYC Parks for helping ensure this pavilion serves our community for generations to come.”
The work will complement NYC Parks’ planned $8.66 million reconstruction of the 1.1-acre Dinosaur Playground, which will address chronic drainage problems, improve accessibility, expand play opportunities and replace aging site features, made possible through City capital funding secured in FY 2024 by Council Member Brewer. Riverside Park Conservancy has already completed a separate renovation of the West 97th Street entrance, including new stairs, an accessible ramp and improved circulation. Coordinating the pavilion renovation with the larger playground project will reduce future disruption and allow the full site to function as a cohesive public space.
NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura said, “Public restrooms are an essential part of making our parks welcoming, accessible spaces for everyone, and this investment will make a meaningful difference for the families who enjoy Dinosaur Playground and Riverside Park. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul, Council Member Brewer, Riverside Park Conservancy and our partners for investing in this important piece of park infrastructure. Together, we’re helping ensure that this beloved neighborhood park continues to be a destination for New Yorkers to gather, play and enjoy the outdoors.”
The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) will administer this funding, which complements Governor Hochul’s Unplug and Play Initiative. Unplug and Play is making statewide investments in recreational infrastructure that give children and families more opportunities to be active, spend time outdoors, and connect with one another. The initiative includes New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS), which has awarded more than $67.5 million for 89 projects across all 10 regions of New York State.
DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said, “Governor Hochul continues to make important investments in the public spaces that bring New Yorkers together. This $3 million investment will help restore Dinosaur Playground’s historic pavilion, improve accessibility and provide modern restroom facilities for the families and visitors who use Riverside Park every day. DASNY is proud to administer this funding and help bring the Governor’s investment to life.”