Senator Hoylman-Sigal Announces $250,000 Renovation of the Amsterdam Early Childhood Education Center Playground

NEW YORK — Yesterday, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D, WFP - Manhattan) announced a $250,000 grant as part of the New York State Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) program to fund the renovation of the playground outside the Amsterdam Early Childhood Education Center. Operated by Hudson Guild, The Amsterdam Early Childhood Education Center is located on the first floor of Amsterdam Houses at 206 W 64th Street, New York, NY.

The CREST funding announced by Senator Hoylman-Sigal will be used to repave the surface area of the playground, which is currently uneven and cracked in numerous places, making it dangerous to use for recreational activities. The funding will also be used to install a new fence to surround the area, helping to beautify the space and ensure that it is safe for all users, and purchase new playground equipment. The playground and yard will be open to members of the NYCHA Amsterdam Houses community when the Early Childhood Education Center is closed. 

To mark the occasion, Senator Hoylman-Sigal presented the facsimile of a check to Tiffany Roberson, Deputy Executive Director of Early Childhood, Youth, Teen, and Young Adult Programming at Hudson Guild, Jacki Kelly, Deputy Executive Director of Development and External Relations at Hudson Guild and Lisa Bova-Hiatt, Chief Executive Officer of NYCHA. Senator Hoylman-Sigal also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the local elected officials who represent Amsterdam Houses, including Manhattan Borough President Levine, Assemblymember Rosenthal, and Council Member Brewer.

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said: “I’m thrilled to announce a $250,000 state grant to renovate the playground outside the Early Childhood Education Center at NYCHA’s Amsterdam Houses. As any resident of Amsterdam Houses can tell you, this playground has been an empty parking lot for decades. All children in New York City deserve a safe place to play and this CREST funding will help make that a reality for the children living in NYCHA’s Amsterdam Houses and the surrounding neighborhood. I’m excited to work with Hudson Guild, the Amsterdam Houses Tenant Association and Community Board 7 to see this project through to fruition. I also thank my colleagues in government who have worked over the years to make improvements to this vaunted NYCHA development, including Borough President Mark Levine, Assemblymember and Housing Chair Linda Rosenthal and Council Member Gale Brewer. I’m proud that this project will contribute to their existing efforts.”

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said: “I’m thrilled that the children at the Amsterdam Early Childhood Education Center and the Amsterdam Houses will soon have a state-of-the-art playground. Thank you to Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, and all the community partners who are making this new playground a reality.”

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing said: "The kids at Amsterdam Houses deserve a play space that is as fanciful as their imagination. I applaud Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for prioritizing the needs of our children on the West Side with this generous funding. Ensuring that New Yorkers living in NYCHA have access to quality affordable housing and safe open spaces is one of my greatest priorities as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing, and I will continue to work with my colleagues, Senator Hoylman-Sigal and Council Member Brewer, to make that dream a reality for our constituents."

Council Member Gale Brewer said: “Beautiful, imaginative playgrounds offer a safe place to explore, learn and play. Thank you to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins and State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal for investing in this project. It will pay dividends for decades to come.”

NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt said: “Today’s announcement marks a significant step towards improving the well-being of our community's youngest members; revitalizing a space where the children of Amsterdam Houses can play. We are grateful to Senator Hoylman-Sigal for championing this vital investment and recognizing that outdoor recreation is an essential part of childhood.”

Ken Jockers, Executive Director of Hudson Guild said: “Hudson Guild is extraordinarily grateful that the children who attend our pre-school at the Amsterdam Houses and the whole community will have the opportunity to benefit from access to a wonderful playground. By investing in our children in this way, Senators Hoylman-Sigal and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins are helping to ensure the healthy physical development, social and emotional skills, and spark the creativity of neighborhood children for years to come.”

Yvette Powell, President of the Amsterdam Houses Tenant Association, said: “This is great! Thanks to Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal for this long awaited beautification project. We at Amsterdam Houses are all about uplifting our community for all people to show beauty and hope in all we do. Thanks again Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.”

Beverly Donohue, Chair of Community Board 7, said: “Community Board 7 / Manhattan sends heart-felt thanks to Senator Hoylman-Sigal and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for the $250,000 CREST grant to renovate the Amsterdam Early Childhood Center playground.  These funds will give the children of Amsterdam Houses the safe and welcoming play space they deserve.  In times when Wide-Siders struggle to make ends meet, good news like this is invaluable."