The NYJL’s Playground Improvement Project (PIP) program revitalizes safe and beautiful play spaces for the greater New York City community. We partner with NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) to plan and execute a yearly large-scale park or playground improvement project in Manhattan. Each year, the NYJL selects a different New York City park and spends five weekends in the spring painting, gardening, and completing general improvements in the park. PIP focuses on parks that need restoration and that will have the greatest impact on the surrounding community.

In 2024, PIP will revitalize Columbus Park in partnership with NYC Parks, with volunteers painting, weeding, and planting. The 3.2-acre park sits in the Chinatown neighborhood, and offers access to basketball courts, playgrounds, and community spaces to play mahjong and practice tai chi. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 8th.

We hope you will join us this spring to paint and garden in Columbus Park! To sign up to volunteer, please email pip@nyjl.org.

2024 Park Days:

• Saturday, April 20 & Sunday, April 21
• Saturday, April 27 & Sunday, April 28
• Saturday, May 4 & Sunday, May 5
• Saturday, May 11
• Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19

 Previous Playground Improvement Projects include:

1991 •  PS 75

1992 •  JHS 47M NY School for the Deaf

1993 • PS 169 Robert F. Kennedy School

1994 • PS 111 Adolf Ochs School

1995 • PS 15 The Robert Clemente School

1996 • PS 146 Anna M. Short School

1997 • PS  2 Meyer London School

1998 • PS 197 Howard Bennett Playground

1999 • PS 194 Countee Cullen Literacy Academy

2000 • PS 125 Ralph Bunche Elementary School

2001 • Thomas Jefferson Playground

2002 • Baruch Playground and PS138

2003 • Marcus Garvey Playground

2004 • Highbridge Park

2005 • Tompkins Square Park

2006 • Jackie Robinson Park

2007 • Seward Park

2008 • James J. Walker Park

2009 • Morningside Park

2010 • St. Nicholas Park

2011 • Sara D. Roosevelt Park

2012 • East River Park

2013 • Anne Loftus Playground at Fort Tryon Park

2014 • Tompkins Square Park

2015 • Columbus Park and Foley Square

2016 • Marcus Garvey Park

2017 • Jackie Robinson Park

2018 • Corlears Hook Park

2019 • Thomas Jefferson Park

2020 – 2021 • St. Nicholas Park

2022 • Seward Park

2023 • Marcus Garvey Park

2024 • Columbus Park

1991 • P.S. 75

1992 •  JHS 47M NY School for the Deaf

1993 • PS 169 Robert F. Kennedy School

1994 • PS 111 Adolf Ochs School

1995 • PS 15 The Robert Clemente School

1996 • PS 146 Anna M. Short School

 

2011 • Sara D. Roosevelt Park

2022 • Seward Park