Ahoy! A ship has anchored in a Bronx enclave.
But kids got a thrill when they discovered it’s really a new playground, courtesy of the Locust Point Civic Association.
“It looks like a ship floating on water because of its blue surface,” LPCA board member Chrys Napolitano said of the major playground piece.
The surface is really recycled turf laid on the grounds of the new playground, decked in bright blue and yellow colors with a portion of the playground shaped like a ship’s bow.
Keeping with the nautical theme, a sketch of an anchor is emblazoned on the bow’s sides.
Because swimming is off limits for members a hydraulic-powered sprinkler was installed.
Napolitano along with members of the longtime club where there for the unveiling of the new playground at 3300 Tierney Avenue on September 1.
They were joined by Councilman Jimmy Vacca who secured $200,000 in city funds back in 2008 to bankroll the jungle gym.
“It took much longer than we expected,” said Vacca. “[But] we were able to officially celebrate the completion of the long-awaited renovations.”
Adding to the memories was Napolitano’s shock when she discovered the name of the naval playground – Chrysantha, Napolitano’s full legal name.
“The board of directors and my husband kept that secret from me,” said Napolitano. “It totally caught me off guard.”
The club saw its golden age from the 40s to 90s. It was during the 80s when the city banned members from swimming in the water because of pollution. A pool was then installed. Members maintained it up until the 90s when there weren’t enough volunteers to take care of it.
Napolitano had always yearned for a place where kids can play since coming back as an active members in the early 2000s.
She worked the phones long enough for Vacca to secure the money for the playground.
Because its city-owned property, Napolitano worked with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to get the project up and running.
DCAS got contractors with the city Department of Design and Construction to break ground on the playground in May.
With the project now behind her, the LPCA is now working on other outreach programs for the community including a pet adoption and theater classes.
Reach reporter David Cruz at 718-742-3383 or dcruz@cnglocal.com.
David Cruz can be reach via e-mail at DCruz@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3383
