SEWARD PARK—Today, New York City Council Member Margaret S. Chin joined with Manhattan Borough Parks Commissioner Bill Castro to unveil newly reconstructed basketball courts at Seward Park.
Council Member Chin said, “I am proud to have played a role in the restoration of one of our City’s most prized parks. By partnering with our neighbors at the Seward Park Conservancy and the Parks Department, our community will not only get newly refurbished basketball courts, we will also receive new trees, adult fitness equipment, and a newly restored Schiff Fountain for all ages to enjoy. As the first permanent municipally-built playground in the nation, Seward Park has served New Yorkers of all ages, and I will continue to support projects that ensure our parks are enjoyed by children and families for generations to come.”
The site restoration was made possible by $600,000 in funding by Council Member Chin – with $415,000 covering the cost of the courts and the remaining balance covering the costs of the new trees and fitness equipment. After being repaved, the basketball courts now offer seven new basketball hoops.
To support the continued preservation of Seward Park, Council Member Chin secured $200,000 for the restoration of the historic Schiff Fountain, with Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer securing another $200,000.
After garnering strong community support, Seward Park was one of eight parks across the city selected to participate in the Parks Without Borders initiative, a project dedicated to re-designing the perimeters of parks to make them more open and welcoming to the surrounding community. Plans for Seward Park are currently in the design phase, and construction is slated to begin in late 2018. Mayor de Blasio secured a total of $50 million to support this citywide initiative.
Linda Jones, Secretary of Seward Park Conservancy, and Trever Holland, Community Board 3 Parks Committee Chair, also joined Council Member Chin for the ribbon cutting.
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