Sunset Park’s Playground Update: Will Open By July
Parks Department announced this afternoon that a small swing set portion of the the Sunset Park’s Playground will open in June, and hopes to be able open the whole playground in July. We reported on Monday that the park’s opening had been quietly pushed to September, outraging neighborhood families who’d be spending another summer without a playground.
To help in the meantime, they have added more programming in the park, free events and extra Playground Associates. Here are all the activities:
Kids in Motion: Staffed play for kids
Beginning May 15th and happening 7 days a week, 10:00 a.m – 7:00 p.m., until playground opens
- Playground in a Box (similar to Imagination Playground)
- Free drop-in activities including games, arts & crafts, sports, free play
Summer Sports Experience
Happening now until the Playground opens, 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Happening in the Recreation Center until July 1st, then moving to the synthetic field.
- Free sports clinics and tournaments ages 2 and up
Summer Movies: Movies Under the Stars
- May 5th at 8:00 p.m., “Cesar Chavez: An American Hero”
Additional screening events on July 1st and 15th, August 5th and 18th, September 16th, and October 7th (titles TBD)
Free outdoor movie featuring popcorn and glow sticks - Art of Brooklyn Film Festival Community Screening, June 3rd, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Free community screening of shorts by Brooklyn independent filmmakers. Event features a dance party with a DJ, free food, giveaways (including passes to the week-long festival proceeding this event), popcorn and glow sticks
As well as:
- Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, May 5th, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. This event celebrates the culture of Mexico and is in partnership with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, NYPD & FDNY. Featuring games, giveaways, performances, a rock wall, arts & crafts
- International Family Day, June 8th, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Council Member Menchaca issued a statement thanking the Parks Department for responding to the community and working to open by July. He said he’s looking “forward to working with residents, park advocates and Parks to make sure future projects do not experience the delays and breakdown of communication we’ve experienced with this project.”