New York Junior League to Restore Seward Park and Neighborhood Green Spaces for 30th Annual Playground Improvement Project

The New York Junior League (NYJL) is pleased to announce that its Playground Improvement Project program will revitalize Seward Park and surrounding green spaces in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks). Over five weekends in April and May 2022, the Playground Improvement Project committee will lead NYJL volunteers in painting, landscaping, and restoring these much-loved community spaces. Following a final restoration weekend in May, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 12.

"The New York Junior League kicked off the inaugural year of the Playground Improvement Project in 1992. Over the last 31 years, we have improved play space outside at public schools and created safe and beautiful green space in parks for the greater New York City community," said NYJL President Dayna Cassidy. "We value our partnership with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and look forward to selecting a new park each year to spend five spring weekends outdoors with our volunteers to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers with this annual, signature project of renovating playgrounds throughout NYC!"

Home to the first permanent, municipally-built playground in the United States, Seward Park is situated between Chinatown and the Lower East Side and named for New York Governor and Secretary of State William Henry Seward. The park spans over three acres and features basketball and volleyball courts alongside jungle gyms and fountains for children to play. For the first time, the Playground Improvement Project team will further expand its efforts beyond the park to restore neighborhood green spaces that have historically received limited investment due to their compact sizes, such as mini-parks, school playgrounds, and athletic courts.

"From boosting health and reducing premature mortality rates to offering opportunities for recreation and to gather together, parks are vital to New York City communities' wellbeing," said Mercedes de Guardiola, Playground Improvement Project Co-Chair. "Through our partnerships with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and local communities, the Playground Improvement Project is working to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to high-quality green spaces."

"As New York City continues to rebuild from the pandemic, we are thrilled to be restoring Seward Park and neighboring green spaces in Chinatown and the Lower East Side," said Caitlin Martin, Playground Improvement Project Co-Chair. "Through this volunteer-powered project, the New York Junior League will leave a long-term and sustained impact on these invaluable green spaces and the communities they serve."

To learn more about the New York Junior League's Playground Improvement Project and how to participate, please email pip@nyjl.com or visit nyjl.org/pip.

About the New York Junior League

Since 1901, the New York Junior League (NYJL) has responded to New York City's most pressing socioeconomic challenges. Powered by 2,000 women volunteers, the NYJL works with more than 60 community-based organizations to advance children's social-emotional learning and to provide life skills programs to youth and adults who are navigating periods of difficult transition. Bringing their diverse experiences and talents, trained NYJL volunteers engage women and children in health, education, and arts workshops specially customized to their needs. The NYJL advocates with state and city government for women- and children-centered policies and develops volunteers' leadership skills for service in the NYJL and on other nonprofit boards, all while cultivating a community that reinforces women's personal relationships and collective power as drivers of positive change. The NYJL also responds to community partners' requests for immediate support and invests funds and volunteers' time in restoring public parks and community spaces to create welcoming environments conducive to fitness, health, recreation, and socialization.

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