NYC Parks Officially Opens $5.4M in renovations to Bath Beach playground

(Pictured from left to right) Andrew Contrino, Community Liaison for New York State Assembly Member William Colton; New York City Council Member Justin Brannan; NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher; New York State Senator Iwen Chu; Community Board 11 District Manager Marnee Elias-Pavia. Photos: NYC Parks/Daniel Avila.

New play and fitness areas for children, teens, and adults, added heat resiliency infrastructure, and more

BATH BEACH — Today, NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner MartinMaher joined Council Member Justin Brannan, State Senator Iwen Chu, BrooklynCommunity Board 11, and community members to officially cut the ribbon on the

renovated Bath Beach Park playground in Bath Beach, Brooklyn. The upgraded space now boasts an entirely new children’s play area, fitness equipment for teens and adults, spray showers, and more. NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher.

“With the renovations Parks has made here in Bath Beach Park, generations of neighbors and visitors will have a safe place to play, gather, and stay cool,” said NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher. “I’m grateful to Council Member Brannan for funding this important project and its exciting next phase, representing some of the many investments we are making in our South Brooklyn parks.”

NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher.

New York City Council Member Justin Brannan.

New York City Council Member Justin Brannan commented: “Since being elected I’ve worked to secure and allocate over $65 million to our local parks and playgrounds. I made a point of prioritizing the parks and playgrounds that hadn’t seen any love in decades. Bath Beach Park is a perfect example of a once-neglected park no longer. With gratitude to NYC Parks, the love that Bath Beach Park deserves is finally a reality. This is now a gem of a park for the entire community to use and enjoy for generations to come!”

“Parks and recreation areas are so important for southern Brooklyn families and residents. With these long overdue renovations, Bath Beach Park playground becomes a safer and more enjoyable space for community members that have long loved the park. Children and teens will have new fields and courts to play in. New benches and lighting will add to the welcoming environment for residents. I’m thrilled for our Bath Beach families and excited to see them use the space,” said New York State Senator Iwen Chu. “I want to thank NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher and Councilman Justin Brannan for making it happen for our community. Our constituents deserve a park in their neighborhood that they can be proud of, and with these recent renovations, we are delivering that to Bath Beach residents.”

Parks has replaced the playground, multi-purpose asphalt field, bocce courts, pavements, and benches with entirely new play equipment and fitness equipment for teens and adults. The project has also reconstructed the existing central pathway and upper seating plaza, added new seating and lighting, and upgraded the surrounding pavements and drainage on site. New plantings will provide shade and beautify the space, while spray showers and drinking fountains will help New Yorkers stay cool and hydrated in the warm summer months.

New York State Senator Iwen Chu.

Community Board 11 District Manager Marnee Elias-Pavia. 

The renovation was completed ahead of schedule and was made possible with $5.4 million in funding from City Council Member Brannan. 

The upgrades unveiled today were completed as Phase 1 of a broader Bath Beach renovation plan; Phase 2 will upgrade the ballfield adjacent to the playground. The Bath Beach project is one of three renovations that Parks is undertaking in South Brooklyn parks. 

Bath Beach Park is named for the South Brooklyn neighborhood in which it is located. NYC Parks acquired the Bath Beach Park site by condemnation in 1937. A large-scale rehabilitation was completed in 1984 with the assistance of the Bath Beach Community Improvement Association, and later renovations established an oceanic theme.