By Rania Zabaneh
What used to be a vacant asphalt lot at P.S. 47 a year ago is a vibrant playground today. With play equipment, game tables, a basketball field, a running track, trees and benches, children at 1794 East 172nd St. have a new place to play.
The elementary school students moved around from one game to another.
“I’m already exhausted,” 9-year-old Chasedy Balager said. “It’s so much fun.”
But this is not just a playground. For about 20 students at P.S. 47 who designed the space it is a dream realized.
Last year, the school worked to build the $750,000 project with the Trust for Public Land and the New York City’s PlaNYC initiative, a comprehensive sustainability plan for the city’s future. School children age 8 to 10 took part in the design, budget and construction of the playground.
“They made decisions throughout the project,” said Thomas Guarneiri, P.S. 47 principal. “This is their park.”
For three months, once a week, the staff of the Trust for Public Land worked with students by integrating the design process with classroom learning and after-school programs. The result is one that will provide 1,200 children with a fun and safe place to play.
Besides applying design techniques and taking decisions to fit the allocated budget, the process was challenging and rewarding.
“I’m very proud of it,” said Maria Molina, 10, who helped design the turf field. “I never imagined it to be like this,” she said. “They made it possible.”