WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — An outdoor fitness center, a community food garden and renovations to school play areas topped the list of projects picked to receive funding in Uptown's first year of participatory budgeting.
More than 1,100 residents from District 10 voted in the inaugural year to determine how $1 million of City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez’s capital funds would be spent.
“Each of the projects funded through this year's Participatory Budgeting process have broad implications for our community, specifically giving us the resources we need to better our health," Rodriguez said in a statement.
Voters chose to fund an outdoor fitness center that will be installed in the Dyckman Fields area of Inwood Hill Park. Budgeted at $100,000, the center will include pull-up bars, hanging rings, jump boxes and equipment for chest presses and leg extensions.
Locals also voted for Highbridge Park to receive a $200,000 investment to support the creation of a community food garden. The goal is for residents to work together to grow crops from seed to harvest and create more access to fresh food in the neighborhood.
Two elementary schools will also get upgrades to their play areas under the budgeting plan.
Students at the Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS) at 511 W. 182nd St. currently have recess in a concrete yard. Thanks to a $500,000 investment, the space will be transformed into a play area with a safe ground surface, a play structure and basketball hoops.
Stephanie Acosta, who is part of WHEELS' parent association, said parents were very happy with the news.
"I think the reaction overall from every parent is that they're super excited," Acosta said.
She hopes that participatory budgeting continues in the future.
"For me, this is one of the greatest things because it's not about who has the most money or whatever," Acosta said. "It's legitimately by vote."
In addition, Dos Puentes and P.S. 132, which share a more than century-old building, will receive a $200,000 allocation to improve their current play area. The amount represents only half the money the schools requested, so the project will be split into two phases, Rodriguez's office said.
The councilman added that the School Construction Authority will determine exactly what phase one would entail.
“We’re exploring different ways to make sure it’s funded in the next budget cycle,” said Lucas Acosta, a spokesman for Rodriguez. “He’s dedicated to making sure the project is completed.”
Dos Puentes parent association member Vicky Nuñez said the school was very excited to get the funding.
“I am over the moon happy with the fact that Dos Puentes was allocated money for a new playground,” she said. “This neighborhood is very short on play areas.”
District 10 was one of 24 districts to use participatory budgeting this year.
There were 12 projects on the ballot this year, including a recording studio for a local middle school, a chess area in Inwood Hill Park and repairs to Fort Washington Library.
Anyone above the age of 14 who was a resident of District 10 could vote, regardless of immigration status.
Rodriguez plans to opt in to the program again next year.
“By allowing every member of our community, regardless of citizenship status or income, to vote in participatory budgeting we are empowering [nearly] every member of our community to invest in our future,” he said in a statement.
