For approximately one year, Kossuth Playground, located at East Mosholu Parkway North, between Kossuth Avenue and Steuben Avenue, has been closed for renovations. Norwood residents had said the park was in dire need of an overhaul. On Friday, Nov. 6, further to the completion of a $3.8 million renovation project, local officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark its reopening.

 

New York City parks commissioner, Mitchell Silver, and Bronx parks commissioner, Iris Rodriguez, were joined, for the occasion, by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State assembly members, Nathalia Fernandez and Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman and recently elected Bronx supreme court justice, Andrew Cohen, Friends of Kossuth Playground, Friends of Mosholu Parkland and various community members.

 

Holding a pair of scissors and the official, ceremonial green ribbon, Silver addressed the mask-wearing crowd, who were attempting to socially distance while also hear the speeches. “This is now the COVID photo-op – a little bit different,” he said, before thanking Diaz and Cohen for providing a “majority” of the funding for the park’s renovation.

 

He also thanked the other elected officials who he said “are always showing up at these park events.” He added, “This playground, which really looks like a park, won a design award from PVC, so the community is now getting a world-class, new public space to enjoy for generations to come.”

 

According to Parks’ department officials, $2 million of the funding came from Diaz Jr.’s office, $1.5 million from Cohen’s office and $378,000 from the Office of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, totaling $3,878,000.

 

The playground’s upgrades include new play equipment for young children, reconstructed basketball courts, and a new adult fitness area. The playground also has a new seating area and is now wheelchair accessible. New security lighting and fencing was also added.

 

In a prepared statement, Diaz, Jr., said, “What starts off as ‘kids being kids,’ running around and having fun in our park spaces, rather than staying home and playing video games, becomes the building blocks to develop a healthier lifestyle as our kids become adults.”

 

Meanwhile, Cohen said, “I’m thrilled about this wonderful new community resource in the Northwest Bronx. Thanks to the vision and input of community members, families and residents who saw the potential in this space, as well as the tireless efforts of the Parks Department, we were able to bring their ideas to life.”

 

Recalling the early days when the renovations were first discussed, Tancy Rodriguez, who brought her 8-year-old son, Kenneth, to the opening, said, “We were a part of the whole planning of the park. We helped vote and take ideas, and we used to come here when it was not in good shape.” She added, “We’re so happy to see it the way it is now.”

 

For her part, Elizabeth Quaranta, acting executive director of Friends of Mosholu Parkland, was excited to see the project finally come to fruition. “After five years of advocating for an updated playground, Kossuth Playground is finally opened,” she said in a written statement. “We want everyone to visit and we are looking forward to the holidays!”

 

Quaranta was also eager that the community be made aware of the reopening, since it was a somewhat low-key event due to concerns over COVID-19, and the need to discourage crowds from gathering.

Kossuth Playground in the #Bronx is now open! This awarding @nycpublicdesign project will bring joy to some many Norwood residents. Thank you @NYCMayor @rubendiazjr @AndrewCohenNYC for your funding and support. So proud of @NYCParks landscape architects. Beautiful 💚 pic.twitter.com/Sg09ULw2ZD

— Mitchell Silver (@mitchell_silver) November 12, 2020

 

A short video of the new playground can be viewed on the Facebook page of Friends of Kossuth Playground here.

*Síle Moloney contributed additional reporting to this story.