Cortelyou Tot Lot’s Open Door Problems
Post updated at 2:25pm.
Cortelyou Road’s Lt. Narvaez Tot Lot has suffered from a complete lack of supervision since March, according to multiple media reports. The small corner park, named for a fallen police officer and for the park’s very young patrons, is never locked. After five months of open doors, the park is now apparently frequented by smoking and drinking teenagers after dark who leave growing piles of litter behind including beer cans and bottles, cigarette butts and dime bags.
The Tot Lot has had no community volunteers since March of 2012 when 85-year-old Leroy Harris was dismissed after parents complained to the Parks Department that the man closed the park too early and allegedly cursed at their children. Since the mid-90s, Harris had opened the gates in the early morning and then locked them at night. For his part, Harris claims he was often the butt of insults and would not return even if asked.
Many parks around the city stay open through the night because there are no community volunteers to close the gate. In the Tot Lot’s case, no other community volunteers have even expressed interest in opening and locking the park, says the Parks Department.
Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs issued a statement in March about the volunteer’s dismissal, saying “he will be replaced.” She asked then that any and all future complaints and concerns be brought to her attention immediately. Her office can be reached at 718-434-0446 or via email jacobsr@assembly.state.ny.us.
What have you seen at the park after dark? Is the situation as poor as described? And what about what you’ve seen during the day? Is the park dirtier and more dangerous for the children who play in it?
Update, 2:25pm:
The following information has been relayed to the community by Christina via the Flatbush Family Network.
1. For the next 10 days, or until further notice, the Parks Dept will open and close the park with their own lock due to the press coverage and the concerns raised by parents organized through this network and expressed through Assemblywomen Rhoda Jacob’s office (Thank you Melanie Hirsch and Assemblywoman Jacobs!). This is a short-term fix only, but one that can tide us over until we find a long-term solution. It will open at 8-ish and close at 9pm. Please call the NYPD if you observe any illegal activity or anyone trespassing in the park after hours.
2. A meeting is being arranged in approximately 2 weeks (after Labor Day) between concerned parents, Parks Borough Commissioner’s office, CB 14, NYPD 70th precinct and Assemblywoman Jacobs office. Please let me know if you would like to come and I will send you details as they arrive.
3. At that September meeting, we, as a group of concerned parents can propose to offer ourselves as volunteers for the long-term, and further propose long-term arrangements. We have approximately 11 volunteers already but WILL NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS if we hope to do this ourselves. Please email me if you are able to unlock the park between 6 and 8 am OR lock the park at 9pm.
Photo from WPIX
