West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
SUPPORT THE RAG

Search the site

No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
SUPPORT THE RAG

Bloomingdale Inclusive Park and Playground Seeks Volunteer Gardeners

May 3, 2022 | 12:40 AM
in NEWS, OUTDOORS, SCHOOLS
5
Photographs courtesy of Friends of the Bloomingdale Inclusive Park and Playground.

By Lisa Kava

If you have a green thumb and are searching for a fun and productive way to use it this spring, the Bloomingdale Playground, on Amsterdam and 105th Street, adjacent to PS 145, needs your help.

“Friends of the Bloomingdale Inclusive Park and Playground,” the nonprofit that maintains the playground, is forming its first Gardening Committee. Volunteers are needed to plant bulbs, and a committee leader is needed to take charge of projects and scheduling.

Time Out called the Bloomingdale Playground “the play space every neighborhood should have.” It was renovated in 2019 as part of the Community Parks Initiative (CPI,) a program run by the Parks Department with funding from the mayor’s office. CPI was started in 2014 with the goal of improving neighborhood parks and playgrounds that have previously been neglected.

Two members of Community Board 7, Rita Genn (former member) and Sheldon Fine, teamed up with a representative from P.S. 145, Cidalia Costa, to form the nonprofit after the renovation. But the three had been working together for years. They brainstormed and shared ideas about the renovation project with each other and the Parks Department since 2014.

“We really wanted children of all abilities to be able to play together,” Genn told West Side Rag in a phone interview. “We wanted children with disabilities to be able to play alongside typically developing children. Social integration of children with special needs was an important goal.”

The idea of inclusivity and accessibility became key to the playground’s renovation. “It was important to us to provide a universal design where anyone could use the space,” Fine told the Rag. “Being inclusive embraces children of all different abilities. Inaccessibility is one part of a physical disability,” Fine said.

The playground was renovated using the “7 Principles of Universal Design,” which include; equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and size and space for approach and use.

“The old playground was sad to look at and difficult to use,” Fine said. With the completed renovation, the playground has one section for 2-5-year-old children and another for 5-12 year old children. Benches are arranged in a circular design where adults can sit and socialize. Basketball hoops are different heights, so that children in wheelchairs can use them, Genn explained. The playground is equipped with circular water sprays that spray low to the ground. Equipment has ramps for accessibility and the restrooms are ADA compliant. There is also a fitness area for adults.

In an effort to further the mission of inclusivity and community, Genn, Fine, and Costa decided to form the Gardening Committee for Spring 2022. “We want to open the park to the larger community to come and plant flowers for the summer so that more people can get involved and feel connected,” Fine said. Prior gardening experience is welcome but not required. The first meeting of the Gardening Committee will take place at the playground on May 22nd at 11:00 AM. At that time a committee leader will be chosen. If you are interested in joining the Gardening Committee contact:

Rita Genn ritargenn@gmail.com
Sheldon Fine Sfine50@aol.com
Cidalia Costa ccosta@ms421.org

Share this article:
SUPPORT THE RAG
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

5 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
NYYgirl
NYYgirl
3 years ago

It is a really nice-looking space!
Still trying to find out what happened to the (hopefully relocated) camel which generations of kids happily climbed on for years and years pre-renovation. Does anyone know or know who to ask?

0
Reply
Playground Parent
Playground Parent
3 years ago
Reply to  NYYgirl

The camel is still at the playground at 100th and Amsterdam, a few blocks south.

0
Reply
NYYgirl
NYYgirl
3 years ago
Reply to  Playground Parent

Yes! They were a longtime duo. Glad the 100th one is still there, kids love it!

0
Reply
Delores Del Rio
Delores Del Rio
3 years ago

How can I sign up to volunteer?

0
Reply
Julia Guggenheimer
Julia Guggenheimer
3 years ago

Would love to volunteer to plant. Don’t see a contact for that?

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

UWS Mexican Restaurant Named Among Best in New York City
FOOD

UWS Mexican Restaurant Named Among Best in New York City

May 20, 2025 | 11:29 AM
HISTORY

Introducing the Upper West Side Historical Photo Challenge

May 20, 2025 | 8:31 AM
Previous Post

TogetherFest at Rodeph Sholom on Saturday, May 7 — No Fee Nor Membership Required

Next Post

Focus On You This May with In-Person and Virtual Fitness and Wellness Classes at the JCC

this week's events image
Next Post
Focus On You This May with In-Person and Virtual Fitness and Wellness Classes at the JCC

Focus On You This May with In-Person and Virtual Fitness and Wellness Classes at the JCC

The Fate of a Landmark Church is Uncertain as Hearings Begin Thursday

Body Removed From Hudson River

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.