A Beautiful Playground Is Coming To Canarsie!

CANARSIE – The cracked concrete patch is no more. The ground was broken this morning on a $3.8 million renovation of the I.S. 68 Playground, which was first opened in 1965 and is officially known as Bildersee Playground.

“Bildersee Playground is on its way to becoming a wonderfully reimagined space for the Canarsie community,” said Commissioner Maher. “With a new synthetic turf and basketball courts, this playground will have so much more to offer the neighborhood. We are grateful to our elected officials for funding these much-needed amenities.”

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Council Member Alan Maisel, Assemblywoman Jaime Williams, and Mayor Bill De Blasio all contributed funding for the $3.812 million project.

The $3.812 million will only fund Phase 1 of two, and bring a new synthetic turf and reconstructed basketball courts, drinking fountains, misting stations, landscaping and a new entrance to Bildersee Playground on the East 81st Street side of the school.

Phase 2 envisions another basketball court, play equipment, and more landscaping, and is still in a proposal stage, Parks Department tells us.

“A playground is so much more than the parts that make it up. It is not just slides or a ballfield; it is a building block for youth! Memories are made there, and children’s spirits are fostered there. The importance of playgrounds has been a cornerstone of our society since the turn of the century, and to continue to give back to our neighborhoods and youth is of the utmost importance to helping our children grow into well-rounded adults that will one day watch their own children enjoy these playgrounds,” said Assembly Member Williams.

Construction is expected to be completed in time for the next school year, end of summer 2019.