Ditmas Park’s Tot Lot Contractor A No-Show

DITMAS PARK – NYC Parks Department had planned that work on the Cortelyou Road Tot Lot would start in April. The designs were approved, the contractor selected, timeline planned out – a complete and beautiful overhaul that residents have been advocated for close to two decades now was expected to close the playground for one year. But the contractor that was supposed to start work this April – has been a no show, Parks Department says.

“Unfortunately, the contractor on this project, Trinchese Construction, has failed to start work on the Tot Lot project, ” Meghan Lalor, Director of Media Relations at the Parks Department emailed in response to our inquiry.

“We’ve communicated with them that they are at risk of defaulting, and we are pursuing our options for potentially awarding the contract to another bidder. Right now we don’t have an updated timeline for the project,” she added.

The small playground aimed at toddlers is located across the PS139 and serves a large and diverse community, which – like most of central Brooklyn – lacks access to open green spaces to enjoy. While there are school playgrounds in the neighborhood, there is no other place within half an hour walk that caters to the needs of the littlest ones.

Here are the renderings from the Parks Department that show what the reconstructed playground will look like. New additions include a water feature and drinking water fountains.  Plantings around the perimeter will be fenced in reducing the already small footprint even more.

Money for the reconstruction comes from both the Mayor and our council member. The playground renovation is going to cost just about one million dollars and will address the constant drainage issues at the space.

We have reached out to the Trinchese Construction but have not heard back. We’ll keep you updated on what happens next.