A worker blocks 107th street off at 11 a.m. on a recent school day for the Ascension School’s “play street”
By Joy Bergmann
Tempers flared at a community board meeting this month about a “school play street” on West 107th street. Three residents expressed their displeasure at the December 3rd return of the School Play Street serving pre-K through 8th grade students from Ascension School between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. during school days. Led by Tony Vellela, the residents complained of excessive playground noise disturbing home-based businesses, the complications of the play street being active during the 9:30-11:00 a.m. window for Sanitation Department street cleaning, the inability for deliveries from UPS and others to be made when the street is blocked for playtime, Access-a-Ride being similarly blocked from pickups, and improper procedures by NYC DOT in reinstating the Play Street after an over two-year hiatus to accommodate construction in the area, among other issues.
Ascension School principal Omar Ortiz responded, “We have no interest in frustrating our neighbors.” Ortiz said the school was working to better walkie-talkie communication with playground supervisors to allow the sawhorse barricades to be moved when needed to accommodate services like Access-a-Ride. He also agreed to consider modifying the Play Street schedule to begin at 11 a.m. to alleviate the sanitation issue. Ortiz said alternative playgrounds had been considered, but were judged too far away for students, especially Pre-K children. For the past two and a half years, students had been restricted to play inside the school’s gym.
The Committee asked residents and Ortiz to report back in one or two months once communications systems are improved. Members noted that an alternative Play Street on 108th had been considered, but rejected by NYC DOT in part due to an operating parking garage at 234 W. 108 street.
The web later provided WSR some clarity on Vellela’s inquiry as to whether playground rights are perpetual once granted. According to the Play Street’s site, “If your school’s application is approved, your Play Street permit will remain valid in future years. You do not have to re-apply each year.”
The next Transportation Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at 6:30pm at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 7 West 83rd Street.
Photo by Joy Bergmann.
Sounds like some people are upset about losing their parking “rights”. Can’t get onto the block to move their double parked cars into “their” spots at 10:45-11:00?
It seems like the school is being accommodating regarding Access-A-Ride. I don’t know the demographics of the block but it can’t be a major problem.
The UPS guys undoubtedly know the hours that the street is normally closed and adjust their route, its not like you aren’t getting your packages.
Seriously, I live near a school and normally work from home and it’s generally nice to hear the kids playing (probably 125 feet from my windows). Offices I have worked in were more noisy.
I had never heard of this before. I guess it’s nice that the kids can get outside, but the street seems like a pretty crappy playground. It wouldn’t be very wide and the kids would have to avoid parked cars when running around.
Complaints about not having access to free tax payer provided parking for a bit so that kids can play outside…
Wow. I have no words.
People actually get upset that they are mildly inconvenienced by the noise of children playing?
I had to add on.
“Stop it! This sound of childish innocence is so grating I cannot continue writing the next great american novel! If only there were a way to block out the noise! Some sort of phones for the head, or sliding glass that could close up the holes in the wall.”
“And how will UPS and the sanitation department ever operate if they might be inconvenienced too!”
“This cannot stand! Those 4 and 5 year olds must stay inside and not play so I can have my amazon delivered at the time I deem appropriate!”
The Holy Name School on 97th/Amsterdam has blocked off 97th Street (a major thoroughfare) during recess between Amsterdam en Broadway for years. Talk about inconvenience to traffic, not even mentioning emergency vehicles!
How precious ARE people that they live in Manhattan and can’t deal with the sound of kids playing outside for a few hours a day?
Never underestimate upper west sider nimbyism.
Children should be seen and not Heard. Why should people be irritated by others children
As far as I can remember, and I’m going back to the 70’s, that street was always block off for Ascension. There was also a block for Holy Name school, I believe it was 97th street.
How does a private religious school that pays no taxes get permission to exclusively use public streets for any period of time?
They get the right to use the street so the children who live in the neighborhood and would otherwise be atending the local public school, so they are actually saving taxpayer money. They play in the street for an hour just like they have for DECADES. if you don’t like it, move.
If they left the street open during play time it would be educational they would learn street smarts. Just watch out for the spandex mafia, remember kids bikes kill.
I believe that the Holy Name School closed several years ago, though the church is still open and a vibrant part of our community.
I therefore doubt that 97th b/t Amsterdam and Broadway is still being closed off for a play space during the school day.
Stop your crying,It’s a good thing that you were not there in the 70’s.There was a constant sound of yelling drunks,gunshots,sirens,etc.Let the kids enjoy some fresh air.
The UWS has changed for decades the holy name school has recess on the blocked street. The new people can’t take a little noise from children at play. Geez !