Bronx, NY – Today, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Council Member Andrew Cohen Announced they were allocating $1.2 million in public funds to modernize the Wakefield Playground. The announcement was made at P.S. 16, The Wakefield School, which is adjacent to the playground, with an excited group of young students. Speaker Heastie and Assemblyman Dinowitz jointly acquired $1 million for the project from the state budget, while Council Member Cohen allocated the remaining $200,000. The Parks Department plans on using the $1.2 million to reconstruct the children's playground area including the jungle gym, swing set, and spray shower.

Speaker Heastie said, “I am happy to join the residents of the Wakefield community in celebrating their new and improved playground. The Parks Department has done a wonderful job in providing safe and fun recreational options for families to enjoy during the upcoming summer holiday season. I want to thank Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Councilmember Andrew Cohen for all of their hard work to bring these upgrades to our community.”

Assemblyman Dinowitz said, “I am excited that the Wakefield community has come together to celebrate this playground which will provide a safe and entertaining place for our children to play in the heart of their neighborhood. As playgrounds like this one in Wakefield serve a great need in our community, the importance of investing in Bronx parks cannot be overstated. I’m very proud that Speaker Heastie, Council Member Cohen and I were able to come together to make this significant improvement to the Wakefield neighborhood. When elected officials are able to work together with the communities they represent, great things happen, and this project is certainly evidence of that.”

Council Member Cohen said, “This playground is right next to P.S. 16 and is the only recreational space in the area, used mainly by students and neighborhood residents of all ages. The community has asked for improvements in the facility for some time, and our Participatory Budgeting process gave them a way to amplify their voices. Seeing how important this playground is to residents, I have allocated $200,000 in capital funds to these worthwhile upgrades. I am pleased that the State Assembly has allocated $1 million more towards the space, which will help to fully realize the dreams of these committed neighborhood advocates. I look forward to seeing the project completed soon.”

“We appreciate the enthusiasm and eagerness that Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Speaker Carl Heastie, and Council Member Andrew Cohen have all shown in regards to the restoration of Wakefield Playground,” said Bronx Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “We understand the importance of this project and look forward to continuing the dialogue with our elected partners and community stakeholders.”

George Torres, Chair of Community Board 12 said, “Community Board 12 is grateful that Speaker Heastie, Assemblyman Dinowitz and Council Member Cohen are providing the necessary funding to update and renovate Wakefield Playground. Modernizing this playground provides our residents another inviting open space for recreation.