For starters, there's just a dusting of sand on the sandbox surface... which, at this point, resembles a cement bunker, and certainly not the first time ... (Thanks to Choresh Wald for the following 3 playground photos)
Meanwhile, the synthetic turf on the playground is peeling and cracked, creating potential tripping hazards...
We've talked with several parents/parkgoers who remain frustrated with the shoddy conditions in and around Tompkins... made worse with the field house renovations happening through the fall of 2024 that have closed the mini pool for two summers ... and the good times of the three porta potties.
This is in Community Board 3. We can take it up here:
ReplyDeleteCB 3 Public Hearing - FY 2025 Budget Priorities
Wednesday, September 20 at 6:30pm
Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p0PBb_YRSyywKiQIXCTcPQ
You must register to attend this Zoom meeting
What parks need reconstruction? What programs need funding? Help us assess the needs of our community.
Every year the Community Board submits a list of capital and expense budget priorities to city agencies. This hearing is your opportunity to have input into these district budget priorities. Tell us how money should be spent in Community Board 3.
Organizations, groups, and individuals representing all segments of the community are encouraged to participate.
Thank you for the info, 8:19 - I signed up. More people need to get involved in community business, but I think a lot of people just don't know how. Attending this meeting is a good start.
ReplyDeleteCommunity Board 3 website
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nyc.gov/site/manhattancb3/index.page
The sandbox situation is actually worse than that. The sand ends up in the water feature area, clogs the drains, and turns that corner of the park into a smelly stagnant puddle. I'm not sure what would fix that other than more regular maintenance.
ReplyDeleteAgree we all need to get active in our community it's an uphill battle and it's a shame CB3 is filled with people who seemingly only serve hospitality and real estate interests
ReplyDeleteI don’t think that’s entirely true. I’ve seen a lot of pushback from some members. But best if you attend or write/email/call with your concerns.
DeleteSaid it before. Crappiest park in the city.
ReplyDeletePayback for 1988.
finding that 9th and A is a little more gross than expected... used to be an oasis of sorts.
ReplyDeleteMy niece found a dead rat in that sandbox once, I don't think more sand will help. I'd stick to the two on Avenue B and 7th. Or Sauer. Or Dry Dock. Or Hamilton Fish. Or Stuy/PCV. Kids in this neighborhood certainly have options anyway.
ReplyDeleteTompkins is failing badly. The 10.5 acre park is more than half green space but has no dedicated gardener. The Adams administration is trying to operate the park without dedicated staff. They shuffle in district workers for a few hours each day and then move them on to other parks. Volunteers are making an effort but each day the park loses more than it gains. Tompkins problems can also be blamed on local electeds who would rather the park remain a flop house & open air drug gallery for all the city’s social service short comings than allocate the required funds to maintain a historic park of this size. I’m also very concerned about the future of Washington Square now that our district has been expanded to include that park — however they always have NYU and a fully established conservancy to operate as a balance. Tompkins has no benefactor or flow of additional funds other than a few fistful of dollars from the dog parade. Sad that our district that made so much noise regarding “Save East River Park” can not come together to meaningfully care and fund the gardens, lawns, trees, playgrounds, requisite staff & facilities for Tompkins Square
ReplyDeleteFolks have complained about the water fountain & sand box combination since the day the new playground opened. As far as I know it is the only water & sandbox combination in the park system. Maybe it’s time to correct this by either installing a simple sand box OR a different water feature — but not a combination of the two.
ReplyDeleteFYI: This feature always required monthly maintenance and a yearly supply of new sand (removing the old.) I don’t believe this has happened in years
Tompkins Square Park is not that large a park. So it's impressive how much the elected officials responsible for the area neglect it, particularly after they supported the ESCR project that continues to eat up so much green space in the area (just when you think another tree couldn't possibly be cut, they cut more!). I guess it shows how little actual livability means to the real-estate industry and their paid-for electeds.
ReplyDeletewhoever designed the sandbox next to the water feature made a huge mistake. the sand clogs the drains, everything puddles up, and it's just continuously a problem. sandboxes in the city are kinda gross in general - but the one in union square park seems to be well maintained, comparatively. i hope they give this playground a spruce up soon , we've been lucky in our neighborhood to have a lot of playgrounds that are recently renovated - PS19, Sauer Park, the avenue B tompkins playgrounds, McKinley on 4th st, and venturing further south there's Luther Gulick. two of the Stuy Town/Peter Cooper playgrounds are new in the last couple years as well. the one on avenue a is severely lacking in comparison.
ReplyDelete