Photos: P.S. 254 Opens New Playground

P.S. 254 students and their leaders hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday morning for the new school playground. With just a few weeks before summer vacation, the finished playground made its tremendous debut with dignitaries giving speeches and a full day’s program.

Borough President Marty Markowitz came without his light saber, while Congressman Anthony Weiner came without his goat (although he did take jabs at his own expense making reference to his latest political “injury”).

After the speeches, dances, and special performances were out of the way, the kids assembled with their physical education coordinators to show their parents just how much fun they plan on having in their new playground and garden area.

When the playground was demolished back in September 2009, we were told that the work could be done as early as October. But though that never happened, it seems the kids’ suffering without a schoolyard has paid off with the brand spankin’ new fixtures, fields and artwork. And this is a project the larger public can enjoy; the park will be open from dawn to dusk, including weekends. [Corrected]

[Corrected: We initially reported that the park was only open during school hours, and not for use by the general public. It will actually be open from dawn to dusk, and only off limits during school hours (so the students can use it). Sorry for the inconvenience.]

Photos by Leon L. and Ray Johnson