By Lisa Kava
On Sunday, June 25, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Friends of the Bloomingdale Inclusive Park and Playground, a nonprofit that maintains the Bloomingdale Playground on Amsterdam Avenue and 104th Street, will host their fourth semi-annual “It’s Our Park Day,” filled with games, sports, and activities.
The celebration is meant for children of all ages and abilities. Wheelchair basketball, frisbee with Brad Keller of DiscAbilities, photo booths, and arts and crafts sessions have all been popular at previous events and will be returning.
There will also be some additions — a Super Soccer Stars drop-in clinic, a “Wonderworks Puppet Show” at 11 a.m., and a cookie-decorating station. Backgammon games will be led by backgammon champion, Antoinette-Marie. “It’s Our Park Day” is free and open to the public. There is no advanced registration.
The Bloomingdale Playground was renovated in 2019 as part of the 2014 Community Parks Initiative (CPI), a program run by the Parks Department with funding from the former mayor’s office. Two members of Community Board 7, Rita Genn (former member) and Sheldon Fine, teamed up with Cidalia Costa, a representative from P.S. 145, the public school adjacent to the playground. The three brainstormed about the renovation for years. The idea of inclusivity and accessibility was crucial to them as they wanted to provide a universal design where anyone could use the space. “We wanted children with disabilities to be able to play alongside typically developing children,” Genn said.
“The old playground was sad to look at and difficult to use,” Fine told West Side Rag. “Being inclusive embraces children of all different abilities. Inaccessibility is one part of a physical disability.”
Today, the Bloomingdale playground features basketball hoops in different heights so that children in wheelchairs can play. There are ramps for accessibility throughout, and restrooms are ADA compliant. There is an ADA compliant swing. The playground is equipped with circular water sprays that spray low to the ground.
The renovation project considered the needs of adults as well. Benches are arranged in a circular design so adults can socialize with one another. There is also a fitness area just for adults.
“It’s Our Park Day” was first organized by Genn, Fine and Costa, the three co-directors of Friends of the Bloomingdale Inclusive Park and Playground, in November 2021 as one way to help fulfill the mission of inclusivity. The event is now held twice a year, in the fall and early summer, to coincide with the beginning and end of the school year. “We are thrilled to be hosting our fourth ‘It’s Our Park Day,’” said Genn. “With our existing and new partnerships and the support of the community, which has been with us since the beginning, our audience has grown.”
For more information on “It’s Our Park Day” or about the Bloomingdale Inclusive Park and Playground contact:
Rita Genn Ritagenn@gmail.com
Shelly Fine sfine50@aol.com
Cidalia Costa ccosta@ms421.org
How wonderful is that!
Just wonderful.
That is great.
But Amsterdam is typically closed for outdoor restaurant dining – what happens to families who need bus access?
Or vehicle?