Governor Hochul Awards $3 Million for Dinosaur Playground Restroom Improvements in Riverside Park

Governor Kathy Hochul today awarded $3 million in State capital funding to Riverside Park Conservancy for improvements to the pavilion and public restrooms at Dinosaur Playground in Riverside Park. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) will administer this funding.

"When governments invest in our parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities, we are investing in our children's health and future," Governor Hochul said. "As New York's first mom governor, I am proud to offer this financial support to Riverside Park Conservancy for improvements into the Dinosaur Playground facilities. This funding will ensure that families have a safe and welcoming community space to get offline, get outside and come together."

Dinosaur Playground, located in Riverside Park near West 97th Street, is a popular neighborhood playground used by families throughout the Upper West Side. Its historic pavilion was built in the 1930s and contains the only public restrooms in the immediate area. Decades of heavy use and water infiltration have left the building with deteriorated interiors, rusted doors and partitions, outdated fixtures, poor lighting, damaged ceilings and accessibility challenges.

The renovation will make possible a comprehensive upgrade of the restrooms, including durable new finishes, improved lighting, updated fixtures and accessibility improvements. The project also includes roof, terrace and stair repairs; new waterproofing; restoration of masonry, ironwork, windows and other architectural details; upgraded drinking fountains; and a new water service, meter and backflow-prevention system.

Today's announcement complements Governor Hochul's Unplug and Play Initiative. Unplug and Play is making statewide investments in recreational infrastructure that give children and families more opportunities to be active, spend time outdoors, and connect with one another. The initiative includes New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS), which has awarded more than $67.5 million for 89 projects across all 10 regions of New York State. Additionally, it includes the Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS), which has awarded nearly $260 million to 79 projects to build and improve swimming facilities across New York State, and Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS), which has awarded $100 million to 30 community center projects. An additional $75 million has been made available for a second round of NY BRICKS funding.

State Senator Erik Bottcher said, "Dinosaur Playground is a beloved gathering place for families across the Upper West Side, and this $3 million investment will help ensure its facilities are safe, accessible and welcoming for everyone who uses them. I'm grateful to Governor Hochul for making this significant investment in Riverside Park and to Riverside Park Conservancy for its tireless stewardship of this treasured public space. I'm proud to have secured an additional $150,000 in State funding for this project and I look forward to seeing these improvements come to life for our community."

Assemblymember Micah Lasher said, "Public restrooms are basic infrastructure, and families at Dinosaur Playground have made do with deteriorating facilities for far too long. Governor Hochul's $3 million investment means this historic 1930s pavilion will finally get the full renovation it needs. I was proud to support this project, and I'm grateful to the Governor, Councilmember Brewer, the Riverside Park Conservancy and NYC Parks for seeing it through."

New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer said, "We have been working for years to secure funding to repair and upgrade public bathrooms throughout the district, and Governor Hochul's $3 million investment is a major win for the Upper West Side. These are expensive, long-neglected infrastructure needs that cannot be fixed with a new sink or a coat of paint. I thank the Governor for making this renovation possible, Riverside Park Conservancy for its persistence, and NYC Parks for its partnership. With the Mayor now investing in additional public bathrooms across the city, we also have an opportunity to tackle the condition of the facilities we already have."

DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said, "Governor Hochul continues to make important investments in the public spaces that bring New Yorkers together. This $3 million investment will help restore Dinosaur Playground's historic pavilion, improve accessibility and provide modern restroom facilities for the families and visitors who use Riverside Park every day. DASNY is proud to administer this funding and help bring the Governor's investment to life."

NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura said, "Public restrooms are an essential part of making our parks welcoming, accessible spaces for everyone, and this investment will make a meaningful difference for the families who enjoy Dinosaur Playground and Riverside Park. We're grateful to Governor Hochul, Council Member Brewer, Riverside Park Conservancy and our partners for investing in this important piece of park infrastructure. Together, we're helping ensure that this beloved neighborhood park continues to be a destination for New Yorkers to gather, play and enjoy the outdoors."

Riverside Park Conservancy President and CEO Merritt Birnbaum said, "There is nothing so basic yet so vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities as having public restrooms that are functional, accessible and welcoming. Governor Hochul's investment gives us a real opportunity to restore this historic pavilion and provide the modern facilities that families deserve when they come to Dinosaur Playground. We are grateful to Council Member Brewer and our local State elected officials for helping to move this desperately needed project forward."

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, "Dinosaur Playground's historic pavilion has served generations of Upper West Side families, but it's long overdue for the repairs needed to keep it safe, accessible and welcoming. As a State Senator, I was proud to secure $100,000 toward its restoration. Governor Hochul's $3 million investment will help preserve this neighborhood landmark, from its roof and masonry to the public restrooms so many parkgoers rely on. I thank the Governor, Council Member Gale Brewer, Assemblymember Micah Lasher, State Senator Erik Bottcher, Riverside Park Conservancy and NYC Parks for helping ensure this pavilion serves our community for generations to come."

About the Riverside Park Conservancy

Riverside Park Conservancy works in partnership with NYC Parks to care for six miles of parkland along Manhattan's west side, from West 59th to West 181st Streets. The Conservancy has identified restroom renovations as a major parkwide need: many of the park's 12 public restrooms date to the 1940s and face chronic closures, deferred maintenance and accessibility challenges.