After over a year of construction and close to $800,000 in donations, the highly anticipated Morris Mesa Playground finally opened to the public on Wednesday, August 6.
Thanks to $500,000 in funding from Councilwoman Maria Baez and $292,000 allocated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Morris Mesa Playground, which saw ground broken in the fall of 2006, has been transformed from an empty asphalt lot to a playground with various play equipment, a spray shower and a sitting area.
"This vacant lot was transformed into a vibrant public space to better serve the needs of the East Tremont community," said Parks Department commissioner Adrian Benepe.
Prior to the renovations, the vacant lot was off limits to the public, and according to local residents was a frightful sight packed with broken asphalt and overrun with weeds.
However, the 0.186-acre space is now flourishing with trees, shrubs and ground covers. In addition, a new drain system, ground hydrants, an in-ground irrigation mechanism, and a drinking fountain have been installed.
"New parks are being created and old parks are being reconstructed all across the Bronx, and Morris Mesa Playground is just one example,” said Benepe.
