The Playgrounds Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. Highbridge Park Dyckman Rest is one of several great projects we are excited to showcase on LandscapeArchitect.com.

Through funding from the Mayor's Office and the Inwood neighborhood rezoning, this transformative project revitalized an underutilized asphalt area into an accessible playground, dog run, gathering space, and seating area, thereby enhancing the neighborhood by addressing safety, accessibility, and sustainability. The rezoning initiative provides critical context for the site, which is located across from the NYC Housing Authority's Dyckman Houses, where a future development will result in essential housing on the campus's open space.

 

Extensive community input was gathered through virtual meetings during the height of the pandemic, with unanimous support from the community board for the design. Manhattan CB12 stated that the park reconstruction ensures "access to green spaces more equitable and ... that all district residents can enjoy the benefits of a healthier, more connected community."

Additionally, Parks worked closely with the NYC DOT to coordinate the project with plans for the Dyckman and Nagle Streets intersection, improving safe access to the site for the multigenerational park patrons coming from their homes, schools, and the nearby subway station.

Heavy use of the site by humans and canines has demonstrated the overwhelming success of the project, and children have quickly taken to the creativity of the design. Thanks to the Highbridge Park tree canopy and the naturalistic spray shower, visitors get the cooling benefits of a forest, all while in Manhattan.

To see more Playgrounds projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/lasns-commercial-retail-development#article1

For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php