JESSE OWENS PLAYGROUND

Location: Brooklyn, New York
Client: New York City Parks
Awards: NJASLA Merit Award

Jesse Owens Playground is located in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, near Stuyvesant Avenue and Lafayette Avenue, and bounded by JHS PS 57 and PS 26 Jesse Owens. This site is part of the Mayor’s Community Parks Initiative (CPI) which works to bring park spaces to underserved communities and calls for a high level of engagement during the design process with them.

The playground is 3.1 acres in size, and originally consisted of a large open asphalt ball field, open basketball court area, handball courts, a comfort station, a play area including play equipment and swings, a small spray area, and a mini above-ground swimming pool.

The intent of the design for Jesse Owens Playground was to transform this outdated playground into a vibrant and attractive community recreation center, with a new enlarged 30’x50’ in-ground mini pool, new play elements, open space enhancements, and a significant addition of green spaces. The relocation of the existing mini pool from its central location allows the expansion of the play area beyond its existing limits, and removing the existing 12’ high chain link fences between play and ball fields recaptures some of this unused asphalt expanse for play and greening elements such as plant beds.

A new paved spray plaza will also provide a central gathering space when not used for water play. The area provides a second welcoming water feature to Jesse Owens Playground, and will serve to keep children cool while the mini pool is at capacity. A new 2-5 year old play area is enclosed by planting, but linked to the spray area.

In place of the large asphalt paved ball field, a new synthetic turf playfield has been installed, including a painted perimeter track acknowledging the Jesse Owens story. New planting areas on all four sides provide shade and visual relief. A new planting / seating area provides separation between the synthetic turf area and the main play area. Most importantly, however, all planting areas feature a primarily native plant palette and have been designed as bioswales, slightly depressed pervious areas that accept surface stormwater, thereby minimizing stormwater strain on the city’s utility infrastructures.