Elijah G. Stroud Playground Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

PROSPECT HEIGHTS/CROWN HEIGHTS — The Department of Parks and Recreation celebrates the official opening of Stroud Playground with a skating event and movie night this Friday.

Start the weekend off with a fun-filled three hours of roller skating and a host of activities at the Prospect Heights playground. The ribbon-cutting occurs at 2:00 pm at Stroud Playground located at Sterling Place

between Washington and Classon Avenues. Festivities run between 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Rollerskates are provided but children ages 7 to 17 need to have an adult accompany them for rentals. Community members are free to bring their own skates.

Movie time starts at 8:00 pm., featuring Ralph Breaks the Internet.

The 1.19 square foot playground underwent a $5 million face-lift in February, after breaking ground September 2017. Equipped with a new track, basketball and handball courts, the re-designed playground also features new swings and play areas for children of all ages.

Stroud playground and the adjacent schools, P.S. 316 (Elijah G. Stroud Elementary School) and M.S. 353, are named after slain Police Officer Elijah J. Stroud. The officer, who patrolled the area, died in the line of duty in 1972.

Recently, the playground made the news after students at the adjacent schools saw an unusual amount of shelter-ins due to gun-related instances. Following community outcry, law enforcement beefed up security and placed additional lighting in the area.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Majority Leader City Council funded the renovation project while Prospect Alliance designed the playground. Cumbo is expected to attend Friday’s event.

You can RSVP at bkspecialevents@parks.nyc.gov