NYC PARKS CUTS THE RIBBON ON JENNIE JEROME PLAYGROUND AFTER A $4.3 MILLION RECONSTRUCTION

NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa was joined today by Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Community Board 5, and local residents to celebrate the reconstruction of Jennie Jerome Playground in the Bronx.

"Jennie Jerome Playground is an oasis of recreation in a dense urban environment, offering Bronx children a safe place to play and stay active. Our recent capital project made the playground more accessible and inviting, while adding all-new play equipment, a spray shower, new shade trees, seating, and lighting," said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. "This site was upgraded through our Community Parks Initiative, which enhances park equity by improving public spaces in high-need neighborhoods. We're grateful to the Mayor's Office for funding this project and helping to ensure there are thriving public spaces in every zip code of New York City."

The newly reconstructed playground features new play equipment with vibrant colors and inclusive play panels for children of all abilities, as well as separate play areas for visitors age 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. A new spray shower was installed to keep kids cool on hot summer days, and picnic tables and seating were added to provide amenities for families to relax.

New shade trees and dense plantings were installed along the playground perimeter to mitigate heat and also noise from the nearby expressway, significantly increasing the green space within the park. The project also added new pavement and curbs, enhanced security lighting, and improved the water supply and drainage systems. In addition, sections of the perimeter fencing were lowered to make the site more attractive and inviting. Construction was finished several months ahead of schedule, allowing families to enjoy the space during the summer season.

The $4.3 million project was funded by the NYC Mayor's Office.

The playground is named for Jennie Jerome, who was the daughter of financier Leonard "The King of Wall Street" Jerome, and also the mother of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The property was acquired by Parks in 1950 during the construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway.

Jennie Jerome Playground was revamped under the Community Parks Initiative (CPI), an equity-driven investment program designed to enhance greenspaces in underserved neighborhoods. Launched in 2014, CPI provides targeted funding for parks that have not seen significant investment in at least two decades, located in neighborhoods with the highest need based on considerations like poverty levels, density, and population growth.

The CPI program is the subject of a study by the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, which found that renovations made through CPI made New Yorkers more likely to spend time in their local parks. According to the study, New Yorkers living near a CPI-renovated park were 66 percent more likely to have visited their park than New Yorkers living near non-renovated parks. The study also found that communities with a CPI-renovated park experienced quality-of-life improvements that uplifted the entire neighborhood.

Jennie Jerome Playground adjoins one of six precinct neighborhoods prioritized for investments by the Mayor's Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. As part of the Vital Parks for All plan launched in June 2024, NYC Parks has committed more than $400 million to these zones, contributing to a safer city. In addition, in October 2023, Parks unveiled a new $2.4 million skatepark at Jerome Playground South, one block away from Jennie Jerome Playground.

"The completion of this renovation reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in our borough's green spaces. With new play areas, trees to shield our families from extreme heat, and inviting spaces for recreation, Jennie Jerome Playground is a model for how we can build healthier, safer communities through thoughtful, green design," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

"It is an exciting day for the families in this part of my district who can enjoy the fully renovated Jennie Jerome Playground," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "I want to thank the City for giving so many children in our community a top-of-the-line recreational space where they can play and stay active."