STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- School and elected officials gathered at the E.M.T. Christopher J. Prescott Playground in Huguenot on Tuesday to break ground on a new sensory playground.
The new playground, which is slated to be completed by winter 2021, will provide fun for all children, including those with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder.
“This project will transform the playground into a sensory play area providing children of all abilities with a safe and engaging setting,” said New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver. “Thanks to a $4 million investment from Borough President Oddo and Councilman Borelli, the playground will soon feature inclusive play equipment, new swings, a new spray play area, a new sound circle for reflection, new paths, fences, pavement and safety servicing. With these added amenities, Prescott Playground will better serve this community for generations to come.”
This photo shows a rendering, provided by the city Parks Department, that represents the layout of the E.M.T. Christopher J. Prescott Playground in Huguenot, which is scheduled to open in 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson)
Silver was joined by Borough President James Oddo, Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore), New York City Parks Borough Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone, Bernstein Intermediate School (I.S. 7) Assistant Principal Vincent Verdiglione and Yvette Fall from Rep. Max Rose’s office to break ground on the year-long construction project.
The American Disability Association (ADA)-accessible playground will be designed to challenge the body’s senses. The equipment will include things like textured surfaces, patterns, shapes, talk tubes, musical play panels, swings, roller tables, balance walkers and climbers. Planted trees and shrubs in the park will also have unique smells to target senses.
“Today is about breaking ground on a park that is specifically designed so that all of our kids on Staten island can enjoy it,” said Oddo. “We believe in this concept so much so that we aspire to be able to deliver a playground like this in the other two council districts before we leave Borough Hall at the end of 2021. I can’t wait to come back here, drive past and watch all of our kids enjoying another great Staten Island and New York City park.”
A total of $4 million in funding was included in the city’s fiscal year 2018 budget – which includes $3.9 million from the borough president’s office and $100,000 from Borelli’s office.
“Over the past couple of years, I’ve been noticing that more and more parks that are built by the department feature some sensory items and sensory features, and that’s been great. But it really is more spectacular to know that for this park, the primary purpose will be to have this sensory experience for so many children who just otherwise would not have had this opportunity," Borelli said.
The park, initially called Huguenot Park, was renamed for Staten Island native Christopher J. Prescott in 1997. He was the first New York City emergency medical service worker killed in the line of duty, according to Ricciardone.
This photo shows a rendering, provided by the city Parks Department, that highlights some of the features of the playground. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson)
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