(Updated) Tour a Decaying Brooklyn Playground With Insurgent Senate Candidate Michael Cox

WEEKSVILLE, BROOKLYN — Yesterday, you watched as Michael Cox, a Prospect Heights native, explained to Patch from his tiny WeWork office in Brooklyn Heights why he hopes to unseat State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, a 32-year-incumbent in New York's 25th Senate district.

But the district's 2016 insurgent candidate didn't stop there. He wanted to show us what he sees as a true symbol of Montgomery's legacy: the crumbling playground at the Kingsborough Houses in Weeksville.

Cox was joined by his supporter and tenant association president, Michael Gaines, as he examined the public-housing complex's aging facilities for kids — which residents say haven't been fixed or upgraded in years. (Video above.)

Cox said he believes the situation exemplifies the economic inequality in the district, which covers a broad swath of Brooklyn including Bed-Stuy, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, Gowanus, Red Hook and Sunset Park.

The 25th district. Image courtesy of the New York State Senate

He accused Montgomery of failing to address the needs of Kingsborough's residents during her years in office.

"This isn't how it is for children in Park Slope," he said, pointing to a rickety jungle-gym platform whose wooden planks are coming loose.

As of this writing, Montgomery's office had not responded to repeated requests for comment. We also repeatedly offered the incumbent her own Patch interview and profile, but never heard back.

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is charged with the inspection and upkeep of all the city's public-housing projects.

When asked about the state of the Kingsborough Houses playground, a NYCHA spokesman provided the following statement.

“NYCHA recognizes the importance of vibrant public spaces in improving residents’ quality of life and creating more connected communities. While there are no funds currently allocated for playground repairs at Kingsborough Houses, NYCHA continues to seek funds, working with residents and elected officials, for site improvements, including upgrades to recreational areas.”

The spokesman said $3.5 million in improvements are coming soon to Kingsborough, but said the money is already allotted for projects such as installing new outdoor and indoor lighting and climate-control systems inside apartments.

Update: On Friday, a NYCHA spokesman provided additional information concerning the resources available at the Kingsborough Houses and the agency's work there.

The spokesman said NYCHA is currently short $17 billion needed to complete capital improvements throughout its system.

He said NYCHA is aware of the playground repairs needed at Kingsborough, but has chosen to prioritize other work at the complex, considering the agency's budget shortfall.

To that end, the spokesman said NYCHA performed brickwork and facade restoration work at Kingsborough in 2015, and rehabilitated several elevators there in 2014.

Regarding community centers: the spokesman said NYCHA has been outsourcing their operation to other city agencies, again due to budget constraints. While there are no community centers on the Kingsborough property, two centers are operating in the neighborhood, the spokesman said — one run by the city's Department for the Aging, and one run by the Department of Youth and Community Development.

Cox and Montgomery will face off on the Brooklyn ballot come Sept. 13, which is primary Election Day in New York.

Video by John V. Santore