The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is set to review an $8.66 million reconstruction project for Dinosaur Playground in Riverside Park on Tuesday, November 28. Led by Stephen Whitehouse of Starr Whitehouse, this initiative aims to transform the playground situated between West 96th and West 98th Streets along Riverside Drive on Manhattan‘s Upper West Side.
Rendering of Dinosaur Park, via nyc.gov
Funded by a combination of city and federal sources, including $1 million from Mayor Eric Adams, $5.9 million from City Council District 6 under Gale Brewer, and $1.76 million from FEMA, the project proposal covers an area of 1.1 acres and aims to diversify play opportunities, address drainage issues, enhance ADA access, and upgrade site furniture, all while preserving the playground’s character.
Rendering of view south facing the playground, via nyc.gov
The proposal comes in response to flooding challenges across various park areas, and in particular in multiple locations within the existing Dinosaur Playground. Key improvements will include the construction of central concrete ramps and larger tree planters, addition of age-appropriate swings, installation of a new perimeter fence on a concrete retaining curb, new accessible ramps, and an enhanced drainage system.
Extreme flooding at sand box and dino play area, via nyc.gov
Extreme flooding at lower play area, via nyc.gov
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Are the drains clogged with leaves?
These wasteful vanity projects are beyond annoying. How many homeless people could get off the street with $8.66 million?
It will sit there for several years behind a construction fence because City employees are so indifferently corrupt.
With the expectation of what the City needs to provide for the homeless, I would guess the answer to your question is in the range of 5-6 homeless people.
The City has a $110 billion annual budget. Most of our public infrastructure underfunded because of arguments like the one you are making. Even with the budget cuts going on now, the discussion is about cutting garbage collection of all things rather than even considering cuts to the empire of social services and patronage.
you can build a building with a lot of apartments that will hold much more than 5-6 homeless people for $8.66 million .
how many city owned properties can be rehabilitated to house people with $8.66 million?
also lets see how many years the park sits idle while these improvements happen
As someone who deals with the actual costs of such projects on a regular basis, I can confirm your assertation is false. $8.66 million is pocket change in the New York construction market.
That won’t even cover the remediation work required for anyone to get near a NYCHA asset.
Cheesemaster,
so you’re trying to tell me that you can’t build a building in NYC with $8.66 million that will house more than 5 or 6 people in that building?!
BALONEY to put it or BLSHT should be the better phrase
As someone who takes my kids to this playground, I think this is great! The lack of ramps down to the playground is frustrating and the dinosaurs look like they are rotting from the inside.
It’s a very heavily used park and play-area. Do we let all of the amenities of the city slide away because there are bigger societal issues? Stop picking up garbage in the street because there are homeless? I firmly believe the City needs to move forward on maintenance and improvements to keep the city viable while seeking solutions to other issues that will always be there. David, me thinks you’re being short-sited and petty.
The only thing petty is your all-or-nothing Fox “argument.”
I don’t watch FOX and I don’t think Mika and Joe would disagree with you…..While the UWS seems “rich”, there are plenty of rental buildings, projects, and homeless shelters in the adjacent neighborhood…and to Mr Lilly, whatever “Open Street” means, there are a few planters at the corner but it’s still a street with traffic and parked cars. It’s a left over from Covid when the street was semi-blocked for kids to play. I don’t understand the hate.
meantime they made 103 street right off Riverside Park an Open Street.. really right next to the park.. God help the greedy rich
Please renovate this heavily used park. The constant flooding is very dangerous.