Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro, Parks Commissioner Benepe cut ribbon on “Playground for All Children” at Bloomingdale Park
Molinaro Committed $300,000 To Innovative, New Equipment For Disabled Children
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Surrounded by children and their parents, Borough President James P. Molinaro and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the “Playground for All Children,” a new handicapped-accessible playground in an expanded section of Bloomingdale Park.
Borough President Molinaro allocated $300,000 from his capital budget toward installation of innovative, new playground equipment that can be used by disabled children after receiving more than a dozen calls and letters from residents requesting the special equipment.
“This is Staten Island’s second playground with equipment designed especially for disabled children,” said Molinaro. “Today’s ribbon-cutting demonstrates our commitment to all the children of our Borough. I want to commend the Parks Department for responding to requests from parents of disabled children, and I applaud the parents for working with Parks to create the most suitable play environment for their youngsters.”
Commissioner Benepe said, "Borough President Molinaro has played alead role in the revitalization of Staten Island’s parks over the past several years. Across the borough he haspartnered with Mayor Bloombergtoallocate generous funding to build and improve parks for residents and visitors.This important addition toBloomingdale Playground creates an important recreational outlet for children of all abilities."
The Playground for All Children was constructed as an addition to the existing Bloomingdale Playground on 4,000 square feet of vacant land. The playground provides wheelchair accessibility to all the equipment. The innovative “Sway-Fun” platform swing can hold two wheelchairs and provides seating benches for children and adults. Other equipment includes a roller table, spider web, rock climber, pulling rings and chiming bars. Color contrast between sloped surfaces and horizontal platforms helps visually-impaired children navigate the equipment. In addition, special Braille panels and sound chimes provide additional stimulation and learning opportunities for children.
July 14, 2006