Work Begins On New Park Slope 'Green' Playground

PARK SLOPE, NY — The city has begun construction work on a new playground in Park Slope that will feature several green infrastructure elements designed to improve water quality in the area and prevent sewer overflows, officials said.

The former asphalt lot next to PS 282 on Berkeley Place between Fifth and Sixth avenues will be transformed into a green space complete with a turf field, a running track, a spray fountain and a basketball court, the city Department of Environmental Protection announced with City Councilman Brad Lander.

"Not only will this playground provide a great new place for kids from the school and community to play, its green infrastructure will absorb stormwater and improve the health of the Gowanus Canal," Lander said in a statement.

In addition to the improved play elements, the new playground will feature green infrastructure such as an engineered drainage system under the turf field, officials said. Rainwater that falls on the field and the basketball court will be channeled into the drainage system, which will help prevent 1 million gallons of rainwater from mixing with Park Slope's combined sewer system each year, officials said.

Preventing rainwater from getting into the sewer system will benefit the health of the severely-polluted Gowanus Canal by preventing sewer overflows into the canal, officials said.

The playground construction project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Rendering courtesy Department of Environmental Protection