NYC PARKS CELEBRATES THE RECONSTRUCTION OF AESOP PARK AND GREENCROFT PLAYGROUNDS ON STATEN ISLAND

NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura joined Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella and City Council Member Frank Morano yesterday to celebrate the completion of two capital projects that provide enhanced and resilient recreation amenities at Greencroft Playground and Aesop Park Playground on Staten Island.

"Innovative and resilient design is at the forefront of all our NYC Parks capital projects, and these reconstructed playgrounds offer world-class, free recreation for Staten Islanders while inspiring play, connection, and community," said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "The reimagining of Aesop Park integrates the latest play amenities with the surrounding forest, a concept that earned a prestigious design award, while the revamped Greencroft Playground features all-new play equipment, shade trees and a play shower to keep kids cool, and ramps for easy access. These efforts showcase the importance of accessible and beautiful design in creating a more vibrant city."

"This is an exciting summer in our Borough of Parks. Aesop Park has been totally transformed into a gem, where there is a little something for everybody. And Greencroft Playground has been refitted with an expanded playground and open space for kids to enjoy," said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. "Staten Islanders deserve the best, especially in our beautiful public spaces, and we thank Commissioner Shimamura and Borough Commissioner Homsey for working with us to put our parkgoers first."

"Staten Islanders deserve world-class parks right in their own neighborhoods, and these beautiful new playgrounds deliver exactly that," said Council Member Frank Morano. "I'm grateful to my predecessor and everyone who helped secure the funding and bring these projects across the finish line. As a father, I'm especially excited to bring my own children here, although I suspect my son's inspection of the playground equipment will be considerably more rigorous than mine. These are terrific investments in our children, our families, and the quality of life that makes Staten Island such a special place to call home. I'm honored to have these in my district."

At Greencroft Playground in the Bay Terrace neighborhood, Parks cut the ribbon on an $8.4 million project to fully revamp the site with expanded play areas designed to give children ages 2-5 and 5-12 distinct recreation spaces. A new swing area was added, while an existing ballfield area was transformed into an informal, open play space.

To improve accessibility, the project provided a series of ramps at strategic locations around the park's perimeter and within the site. In addition, the project added a new spray shower and shade trees, along with a drinking fountain/bottle filler, path lighting, fencing, and seating.

The project was funded by the New York City Council and NYC Mayor's Office. Opened in 1970, Greencroft Playground is a Jointly Operated Playground serving P.S. 53 and the local community.

In Tottenville, Parks also unveiled the reconstructed Aesop Park following a $6.64 million renovation. In 2024, the design for this capital project was selected by the City's Public Design Commission as a winning project in its annual Awards for Excellence in Design. A Jointly Operated Playground used frequently by adjacent P.S. 6 as an outdoor classroom, the park acts as an urban forest and is cherished by the community for its unique setting and features, including an amphitheater.

The reconstruction installed a new play area for children ages 2-5 years old focusing on sensory and cooperative play and includes two bays of swings. The age 5-12 play area spans across two connected spaces - one side emphasizes dynamic motion play with swings, climbers, and spinners, while the other side includes a ramped play structure with multiple sensory components and a treehouse experience. Tables create space for students to do homework or adults to sit and have lunch, while the spray shower was relocated to an open, sunny area and surrounded by bench seating. Perimeter fencing was lowered along street edges to make the park feel more open and welcoming, as well as highlight the existing decorative entry gate. The project was funded by the Staten Island Borough President and New York City Council.

The park is named for the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop (620-564 BCE), who is credited with creating and adapting hundreds of short fictional stories now collectively known as Aesop's Fables. The revamped site includes several sculptures based on characters from Aesop's Fables.