Category: Parks

BP Oddo announces funding for sensory playground

7/18/2017

On Tuesday, July 18th, BP James Oddo joined with Council Member Joe Borelli and Borough Parks Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone to announce the allocation of $4 million in taxpayer money for a sensory playground at Prescott Playground in Huguenot. BP Oddo allocated $3.9 million, and Council Member Borelli allocated $100,000 for the project.

A sensory play area provides opportunities for all children, including those with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder, to develop physical coordination, social skills, and imaginative play behaviors in a shared, peer-play setting.

Some of the examples of play structures that can be included are: sand and water play for tactile stimulation, bright and patterned shapes for visual, talk tubes and musical play panels for auditory, play equipment such as swings and roller tables for cognitive awareness of movement and behavior, and balance walkers or climbers for focus on balance and special orientation.

“We want to see all of Staten Island enjoying our parks, and we want all of our kids with varying degrees of abilities to enjoy our parks,” said BP Oddo. “I think this is a statement on our values that we want to get this playground built.”

"Prescott Playground is the perfect spot for this sensory playground because it's in a quiet area," noted Parks Commissioner Ricciardone.

BP Oddo plans to form a working group from the special needs community to assist during the playground’s design phase.

Thousands enjoy Kids Day at the Carousel

5/21/2017

On Sunday, May 21st , BP Oddo hosted Kids Day at the Carousel in Willowbrook Park. Kids and their families got to ride the Carousel for all Children for free. In addition, the event featured inflatable attractions, chalk art, crafts, photo spots and music.

The Staten Island Zoo presented animals from their educational unit, and the NYPL hosted story time for the younger children. Additional sponsors included Barnes & Noble and Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC. Over a thousand people attended the event.

“It’s great to see families out enjoying a day in the park together,” noted BP Oddo.

Check out photos from the event

BP Oddo to host “Kids Day at the Carousel” for children

5/9/2017

BP Oddo will host “Kids Day at the Carousel,” a free event for children and their families, on Sunday, May 21st from 11AM to 5 PM.

Rides on the Carousel for all Children will be sponsored by the Borough President. In addition to free carousel rides, the event will feature inflatable attractions, chalk art, crafts, photo spots and music. The Staten Island Zoo will present animals from their educational unit from 12-3pm. The New York Public Library will host story time at 1:30pm.

“We are excited to host this fun new event at the Carousel this spring,” said BP Oddo. “We invite all Staten Island families to come out to Willowbrook Park for a fun day that kids of all ages will enjoy.”

The event is co-sponsored by Barnes & Noble, Big Brother Big Sisters of New York City, the New York Public Library and the Staten Island Zoo.

“Halloween Hoopla” delights kids of all ages

10/31/2016

On Monday, October 31st, Bloomingdale Park was transformed into “Boo!mingdale Park” for “Halloween Hoopla,” a free event for children and their families. The annual event, which was sponsored by BP Oddo and Council Member Joe Borelli, featured a hay maze, inflatable attractions, photo spots, a costume parade and trick-or-treating.

Tottenville High School Women’s Chorus performed Halloween hits for the crowd throughout the day, and the New York Public Library told spooky stories. Helping Others Overcome Personal Handicaps (HOOPH) hosted pony rides for the borough’s youngest ghouls and goblins.

“We were happy to once again host this fun family event on Halloween and add a couple new features to make it the best one yet,” said BP Oddo. “Each year, my staff works hard so young Staten Islanders and their parents can celebrate Halloween in a safe and fun environment. It has become a wonderful tradition for the South Shore.”

Over a thousand people attended the event.

BP Oddo Announces Full Funding for MacArthur Park Renovations

7/13/2016

On Wednesday, July 13th, Borough President Oddo joined with Council Member Steven Matteo and Borough Parks Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone to announce that the funding for renovations to MacArthur Park at the Berry Houses has been finalized. The $9.3 million dollar project will fix existing drainage issues on the field, add a new synthetic turf to expand the field’s usage and renovate the basketball courts.

During his time as a Council Member, BP Oddo allocated funds to rehabilitate the fields. However, after 9/11, the funding was moved to other projects. After many years, BP Oddo was able to work with Council Member Matteo to cobble together funds from the City and FEMA to make the project a reality.

“‘The Berry’s’ are an institution in this borough and generations of Islanders have played there,” noted BP Oddo. “These upgrades have been long overdue, and we are excited to share this news. When this project is complete, scores of our fellow residents will create new memories, learn more life lessons, exercise and enjoy themselves at a new and improved Berry’s.”

Construction is expected to begin in 2018.

BP Oddo and Council Member Borelli Announce Fairview Park Funding

6/29/2016

On Wednesday, June 29th, Borough President Oddo joined with Council Member Joe Borelli to announce that Fairview Park is now fully funded. This $18 million project was funded by BP Oddo, who allocated $3.5 million, and Council Member Joe Borelli, who allocated $1.325 million.

Fairview Park has been in the planning stages for over a decade. The park, which is located in Charleston, will have a soccer field, bocce ball courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts and a softball field. The park will be adjacent to the planned Charleston Library.

"It’s a happy day. It’s real. It’s going to happen. It’s needed," said BP Oddo.

The Parks Department says construction is expected to begin in 2018 and will take about 2 years to complete. This is the first in what will be an epic series of announcements this summer of new parks and recreation projects on Staten Island!

Staten Island is now home to world-class track facility

11/19/2015

On November 19, the Parks Department held a formal grand opening for the long-anticipated Ocean Breeze Track and Field Athletic Complex on Father Capodanno Blvd. The event felt like Christmas morning for runners, Borough President James Oddo said.

The two-story facility cost $93 million to complete and already has 70 meets booked on the calendar.

With 700 Staten Islanders already signed up for the reasonably priced membership to the facility, it’s off and – literally - running.
“If you’re involved in track now, this center will make you want to be,” noted Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver who emceed the opening festivities from the center of the hydraulic track.

"Wow… This is truly an exciting day Staten Island. Not only will this facility put Staten Island on the map within the track and field community by allowing us to play host to important sporting events, but it will it will also fill a real year-round need for Staten Islanders who are interested in improving their health and wellness at an affordable price in a convenient location," said Borough President Oddo.

The athletic complex is 135,000 square feet and has seating for 2,500, important during track and field events.

Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora spoke to the facility’s storm resiliency, a piece of the project that was looked at again post-Sandy.

In addition, the Indoor Athletics Facility has certified the complex, making it the only world-class facility on the East Coast.

The 200 meter Mondo track has eight lanes, has a sensored heating and cooling system, an anti-glare system and an Olympic-style lifting platform.

After the program, Commissioners Silver and Pena-Mora led a group of adults and children alike (including Assemblyman Michael Cusick) for the very first lap around the new track.

BP Oddo to host ‘Halloween Hoopla’ for young children on Oct. 30

10/2/2015

Borough President James S. Oddo will host “Halloween Hoopla,” a free Halloween event for children and their families, on Friday, October 30th from 2 to 5 PM.

For the event, Bloomingdale Park will be transformed into “Boo!mingdale Park” on the Friday before Halloween. The event will feature a hay maze, pony rides, inflatable attractions, photo spots, a costume parade and trick-or-treating. New this year will be live musical performances and a magic show. Patrick and the Rock-a-Silly Band will perform and Magic Mike Lane will also do a magic show for the children.

“We are happy to bring this event back again this year with some new additions to make it the best one yet,” said Borough President Oddo. “Come on down to ‘Boo!mingdale Park’ for a special Halloween celebration that the whole family will enjoy.”

Former Council Member Vincent Ignizio is co-sponsoring the event with funds allocated before he left office.

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