Help Decide Where $1M Goes In Wash Heights, Inwood: City Budget

UPPER MANHATTAN, NY — Dog run improvements in J Hood Wright Park, new neighborhood pickleball courts, and technology upgrades at uptown schools are a collection of the finalists of the Washington Heights and Inwood Participatory Budget process for the next fiscal year organized by Council Member Carmen De La Rosa.

Upper Manhattanites submitted dozens of ideas for neighborhood projects to receive funding, which have now been whittled down to eight finalists.

Locals can vote from now through Sunday on the projects, with a total of $1 million in funding going to the most popular ideas.

The projects can be used for physical infrastructure that benefits the public, cost at least $50,000, and have a lifespan of at least five years.

Without further ado, here are those finalists. Each voter can select up to five of the ideas, and anyone age 11 or up can vote.

Parks and Recreation

Highbridge Park Dog Run Improvement: Amsterdam Avenue between 190th to 193rd streets

• Will receive $650,000 in funding.
• Dog Run expansion and upgrades, including a new water fountain.

New Pickleball Court: Dyckman Fields at Inwood Hill Park

• Will receive $550,000 in funding.
• Multi-use and new pickleball court at Dyckman Fields.

J Hood Wright Dog Run Improvement: J Hood Wright Park near Haven Avenue

• Will receive $500,000 in funding.
• Full renovation of dog run for safety improvements.

Education

Technology Expansion for P.S. 128 and Castle Bridge: 560 W. 169th St.

• Will receive $50,000 in funding.
• New laptop carts and 3D printers.

P.S. 189 Computer Lab Expansion: 2580 Amsterdam Ave.

• Will receive $50,000 in funding.
• New computer lab with at least 50 new computers.

Accessibility Bathroom Upgrades at P.S. 115: 586 W. 177th St.

• Will receive $300,000 in funding.
• Upgrading two bathrooms to make them ADA accessible.

P.S. 128 & Castle Bridge Audio-Visual Auditorium Upgrades: 560 W. 169th St.

• Will receive $250,000 in funding.
• Upgrades to include screen replacement and updates to visual and audio system.

Technology Upgrades For I.S. 52: 650 Academy St.

• Will receive $50,000 in funding.
• Laptop cart and 3D printers to upgrade tech education.

You can cast your ballots online, HERE — or at the following locations.