ICYMI: Sunset Park Playground Opens With Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — A brand new playground in Sunset Park "officially" opened Thursday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attending by elected officials, city leaders and community members.

Of course, the park has been open to the public since the beginning of the month after delays threatened to keep it closed for a second straight summer.

On Thursday, as dozens of kids streamed through the park and its new play equipment, the community celebrated the more than $3 million of renovations it has undergone. (For more Sunset Park news, subscribe to Patch to get a daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.)

"I’ve been talking to some of the kids, and they said it so well," City Councilman Carlos Menchaca, who led a push to get the park open during the summer, told Patch after the ceremony.

"They experience time in a whole different way. One summer was already a lot to not have a playground. So us pushing the July 31 opening was exactly what they needed to have their summer with a playground."

The upgraded playground features new swing sets, sand boxes and spray showers along with plantings, water fountains and pathways. More upgrades are yet to be completed, but the playground opened so kids wouldn't miss two summers.

"It’s very meaningful for the whole community," Jeremy Laufer, the district manager at Community Board 7, told Patch. "You just look at the joy on these kids faces to know how important this was for the whole community. It’s been a long campaign to get this done. And there are more good things coming for this park and other parks in the community."

The main entrance to the playground is located near the intersection of Sixth Avenue and 44th Street.

Lead image via Marc Torrence, Patch Staff