STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Community leaders gathered Tuesday for the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the $1 million renovation of the John E. White playground in Fort Wadsworth.
“This park is going to be terrific, because you know a lot of little children are moving here, and a lot of young families. The revitalization is this neighborhood coming back to what it always was with the children ... with the families,” said Joan Cusack, district manager of Community Board 1.
“This park is going to be terrific, because you know a lot of little children are moving here, and a lot of young families," said Joan Cusack, district manager of Community Board 1. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi)Priya Shahi
For the first time in more than 20 years, the John E. White playground, located at 35 Lyman Ave., received some much-needed renovations.
The newly reconstructed playground includes: renovated play equipment for children 2 to 5 years old; a play house for toddlers; a spray shower; fencing; furniture and decorative bins reflecting the historical character of the park, and new plantings.
“I’m extremely proud of my team, and the work we have been involved in in allocating millions of dollars toward renovations over my time as your state senator,” said Sen. Diane J. Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn). whose office funded the reconstruction of the John E. White playground.
The newly reconstructed playground includes renovated play equipment, a spray shower and more. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi)Priya Shahi
“This park now is going to be exactly designed for toddlers, and that’s wonderful,” said Arnold Lim, of the Friends of White Playground Association, which is made up of neighborhood residents.
“A long time ago, this park was a haven for teenagers to trash and do drugs, wrecking the playground for little kids, so we banned that together back in 1997 -- telling the commissioner to put up gates so we can open and close them,” recalled Lim, who is now the gatekeeper for the playground.
District Attorney Michael McMcMahon spoke about the important role parks play in the community.
“Our work in the District Attorney’s Office is more than just holding accountable those who break the law. It is about preventing crime however and whenever we can, and that is a role our borough’s parks play by fostering pride in our neighborhoods,” said McMahon. “Lastly, it must be noted the naming of this park for John E. White, an Army veteran killed as part of the American Expeditionary Force in World War I, rightly underscores our promise grounded in our duty to never forget our heroes even 100 years later. Thank you, and God bless the memory of John E. White and all of our veterans.”
The playground honors the World War I veteran who was born in Fort Wadsworth in 1893. White served as a trainman for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in St. George. Never marrying, he enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight in World War I and became a member of the Allied Expeditionary Force. He gave his life assisting in the war effort.