Plimpton Playground. One of the hidden treasures of the Bronx.

Not many people know this but Plimpton Playground is one of the hidden treasures of the Bronx borough of New York City. Only so many people know about Plimpton Playground since this playground is smack dab in the middle of the Bronx.

New York Daily News once called Plimpton Playground one of the worst parks. Plimpton Playground was listed as one of the top-five worst parks in New York City by New York Daily News back in 2006. A lot of the soft surfaces ripped apart or with sections missing. You see paint chipped and peeling, or hooks on swings that could catch a child's clothes. The park's management is legally responsible for resolving these issues and fixing any broken structures. If a child is hurt, parents can take action, especially if it's because of something that's not maintained or secured properly. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/410314069/)

“Among the worst listed by NYPIRG are Fort Tryon Park in Washington Heights, Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn and Saturn Park, Staten Island.”

[Among the worst listed by NYPIRG are Fort Tryon Park in Washington Heights, Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn and Saturn Park, Staten Island. Queens' Linden Park and Ogden Plimpton playground in the Bronx also are listed in the top-five worst parks. "You see a lot of the soft surfaces ripped apart or with sections missing," said Yves Antenor, project coordinator for the Bronx. "You see paint chipped and peeling, or hooks on swings that could catch a kid's clothes. "The park's management is legally responsible for this stuff," said Antenor. "If a child is hurt, parents can take action, especially if it's because of something that's not maintained or secured properly.”]

But Plimpton Playground has improved since then due to significant upgrades and extensive renovations by NYPIRG. Plimpton Playground is no longer a dilapidated playground and park.

Plimpton Playground received $500,000 for upgrades to comfort stations and play areas in 2014. Plimpton Playground was redesigned and reconstructed. This had led Plimpton Playground become one of the hidden treasures of the Bronx. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/584013605/)

“Among those are the Edenwald Playground, Fort Four Playground and Ogden Plimpton Playground, which will each receive $500,000 for upgrades to mini-pools, comfort stations and play areas. The Office of Management and Budget provides strict guidelines for programs looking to receive funding from the borough's ambassadors.”

“The new sites brings to 56 the number of green spaces picked for overhauls under the initiative, which is pumping $285 million into parks in high poverty neighborhoods, officials are expected to announce Monday. The play spaces - Almeda Playground in Queens, Abraham Lincoln and Audobon playgrounds in Manhattan, La Guardia and Weeksville playgrounds in Brooklyn and Garrison, Plimpton, and playgrounds 174 and 134 in the Bronx - will be redesigned and reconstructed. "For health, for relaxation, and for happiness, great neighborhoods need the great neighborhood spaces the Community Parks Initiative creates," said Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver.”


Plimpton Playground, a space that has seen minimal improvements over the past 20 years, has been completely re-envisioned and revitalized, with wonderful upgrades made to the entire park. New York City’s small parks and playgrounds are the under-appreciated jewels of their park system. Plimpton Playground is one of the Bronx’s under-appreciated jewels. (Ref: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/plimpton-playground/pressrelease/21733)

“Plimpton Playground, a space that has seen minimal improvements over the past 20 years, has been completely re-envisioned and revitalized, with wonderful upgrades made to the entire park,” said Parks Commissioner Silver. “Thanks to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Community Parks Initiative and a $4.43 million investment in this park, the West Bronx now has a beautiful brand new playground for all to enjoy.”

“The proposed upgrades for Plimpton Playground will enhance the park as a great escape for families living near Plimpton Avenue, West 172nd Street and Edward L. Grant Highway in my district,” said Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx, 77th AD). “Now, with this investment from Mayor de Blasio and NYC Parks Commissioner Silver, the Community Parks Initiative will infuse Plimpton Playground and other similarly under-funded and overlooked neighborhood parks like it in the Bronx and across the City with much needed improvements that can help ensure families in our community are granted access to superb parks that are built to last for generations. These investments will improve the quality of life for my constituents and ensure the community has a say in what their local neighborhood park should look like.”

"New York City’s small parks and playgrounds are the under-appreciated jewels of our park system. But too many have languished for decades without adequate upgrades and renovations--especially in our low- and moderate income neighborhoods,” said Council Member Mark Levine, Chair of the Committee on Parks. "The Community Parks Initiative has injected new life into dozens of these special places already, and I am thrilled that nine more parks will now be receiving similar investments.”


Plimpton Playground is located at 1440 Plimpton Avenue, Bronx, New York, US 10452.