Program News 2007
A Playground for All Seasons: PS 246 Unveils Its New Community Space
It is probably fair to say that play knows no season. So it was not surprising to see students from PS 246, the site of one of Good Shepherd’s eight after-school centers in the Bronx, rush outside to play in 40 degree weather. What made their enthusiasm unique though is that their playground did not exist a year ago. What had been a worn asphalt lot last December is now a beautiful community space with a running track, turf field, courts for tennis, volleyball and basketball, play and fitness equipment, flowers, trees and benches thanks to a successful partnership between the civic (the New York City Department of Education), corporate (Deutsche Bank) and non-profit (The Trust for Public Land and Good Shepherd Services) sectors.
PS 246’s playground is the result of a one million dollar community investment by the Trust for Public Land’s City Spaces program which was made possible by Deutsche Bank and the New York City Department of Education, the former of which provided lead funding and the latter, a two-to-one funding match.
On December 20th, representatives from all four organizations gathered together on the blacktop of the new playground for the official dedication. Little faces were pressed up against the classroom windows overlooking the playground trying to catch a glimpse of the festivities, which featured guest speakers from each of the four partner organizations, student speakers and performances by the school’s intramural basketball team, running team and dance group. The ceremony was emceed by Kevin Fich, a very well-spoken sixth grader.
The theme of the dedication ceremony was partnership. Each speaker echoed the other in how grateful they were to have the opportunity to work with the others in seeing the playground come to fruition. Sr. Paulette LoMonaco emphasized Good Shepherd’s focus on collaboration, “one of the hallmarks of Good Shepherd Services is our ability to partner….forming strong partnerships is the only way to meet the needs of our youth and families.”
Planning for the playground began in January 2006 and students were involved from day one. The Trust for Public Land worked with three classes and youth from Good Shepherd’s after-school program to ensure that the young people had a voice in the project. And it was clear that they were pleased with the end product. Aaron, one of the student participants seemed to be speaking for his fellow classmates when he said, “It’s going to be the best yard.” Indeed, it seems as though it will be. This “hub of the community” as the school’s Principal Beverly Miller describes it, will no doubt be the pride and joy of the school and community for many years to come.
January 9, 2007
