Ribbon-Cutting Celebrates Playground Reopening at Queensbridge South Houses  

On July 25, the Queensbridge South Houses community celebrated the reopening of a rehabilitated playground space as the summer kicked into high gear. 

Residents and youth from the nation’s largest public housing development were joined by City Councilmember Julie Won and representatives from the Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement for a ribbon-cutting to mark the revival of one of the neighborhood play areas after it was shuttered due to a sinkhole. The playground near Vernon Boulevard was officially reopened following more than $315,000 in work by NYCHA’s Operations team, including complete repair of the sinkhole area, installation of new safety surfacing, as well as power cleaning and painting of the existing play equipment.  

“Socialization is completely important and it’s huge for us to have this playground repaired, especially in time for the summer,” Queensbridge Houses Resident Association President Corinne Haynes said. “It was very exciting, very fulfilling, and very rewarding to see the work that was done; it was a collaborative effort.”   

Improvements to the neighborhood playground space included power cleaning of the existing play structures and newly installed safety surfacing. (courtesy of Councilmember Julie Won’s office)

Ms. Haynes thanked the advocacy of Councilmember Won and support from NYCHA staff, including former Vice President for Queens Public Housing Operations Cesar Gonzalez, saying he was “super instrumental” in ensuring the project was done in a timely manner while also providing continuous oversight.   

Councilmember Won, who helped secure capital investment funding for affordable housing in the City’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget, noted that all children deserve access to a safe place to play.  

“Thank you to our partners at Queensbridge Houses, Riis Settlement, and elected officials on the state and federal level for helping us to secure this crucial win for public housing residents,” Councilmember Won said. “With $2 billion in the FY 2025 City budget for NYCHA capital repairs, we look forward to NYCHA management’s continued work to improve the living conditions at Queensbridge and other public housing properties so our neighbors can have safe, dignified, and modern spaces to live.” 

Featured photo caption: Queensbridge South Houses community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 25 to officially reopen the playground area near Vernon Boulevard. (courtesy of Councilmember Julie Won’s office)