Playgrounds Will Remain Open & More Info On Renovations At PS 139

We know the long-impending construction at PS 139 had some parents worried they’d be losing valuable outdoor play space, so since some scaffolding has gone up, we got in touch with a few folks in the know to get a clearer picture of what’s in store.

We’d heard initially that the playground on Cortelyou would be completely closed and that Arygle playground closures might necessitate turning Argyle Road into a makeshift “play street.” However, Beverley Square West Association President Robert Pandolfo has verified that this will not be the case–the Cortelyou playground will remain wholly open, and only part of the Argyle playground will be closed off. Another BSW neighbor confirmed, “Based on the latest letter from the school, the playgrounds will for the most part remain open, so there is no need for a play street.”

Marge Feinberg, spokesperson for the Department of Education, adds, “SCA [School Construction Authority] met with the school administration, school PTA, Assemblyman Brennan, and Councilman Mathieu Eugene several months ago to reassure the group that the phasing of work would allow continued use of its two small playgrounds, learning disruption would be minimized, and construction work would be phased to the extent possible during the summer recess.”

Feinberg says the project will include parapet replacement, perimeter roof replacement, caulking replacement, the refurbishing of some window guards, repointing the school’s chimney, and replacing chimney cap, and that the majority of the work will be done on the 1902 building, with only limited work on the building constructed in 1951.

She says that the anticipated date of completion for at least most of the work is October 7, and the majority of work will take place on weekends and holidays, with construction ending around 10pm.