STATEN ISLAND — The 'Borough of Parks' is living up to its name.
The city cut the ribbon Friday on nearly $2.6 million in renovations to two playgrounds in the borough and a Stapleton park was allocated $2.4 million in the budget for improvements of its own in the budget.
Dugan Playground in New Dorp Beach and Terrace Playground in Grymes Hill officially finished their years-long improvement projects just as Councilwoman Debi Rose announced Luis Lopez Park in Stapleton will start one of its own.
"Just a short walk from several blocks of dense housing units and adjacent to a very active school, Luis Lopez Park is the place to be on a daily basis for many young people," Rose said in a statement.
"It could and should be a recreation hub for thousands of children, but its facilities are outdated and do not live up to the potential of the site. Our young people need places to run, play and enjoy all that childhood has to offer, which is why I secured this funding."
As part of the City Council discretionary funds in this year's budget, Luis Playground will get a new spray shower, swing set, sitting area and safety surfacing, Rose said.
Rose and Borough President James Oddo helped fund the School Construction Authority project to renovate Terrace Playgrounds, on Martha Street and Clove Lakes Road, which finished construction this year.
The playground — which is used exclusively by P.S. 35 during school hours and then opens to the public — now has fully rebuilt basketball courts, a new water fountain and benches in the middle terrace, according to the Parks Department.
The lower terrace was repaved and had a painted baseball diamond, game lines, a section of synthetic turf, two basketball hoops and a water fountain added, Parks officials said. The whole park also got a drainage system upgrade.
Parks also cut the ribbon on the $1 million restoration — funded by the City Council and Mayor Bill de Blasio — of the fields and courts at Dugan Playground, 280 Mill Rd. The project has been in the works since 2013.
The reconstructed ball fields are now ADA accessible and have new bleacher, benches and trees, Parks said. The basketball courts were also renovated and resurfaced.
