Description

From 2006-2007, Hester Street (HST) led community participation in the renovation of the Hester Street Playground at Sara D. Roosevelt (SDR) Park in Chinatown. HST became involved in response to the community’s advocacy for the improvement of the park and the need for more recreational spaces for children. HST worked with a broad coalition of neighborhood groups to carry out a visioning and planning process that involved over 1,000 residents participating in interactive park visioning activities, and successfully channeled community recommendations into the new playground. HST also worked with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) to ensure that SDR Park received priority designation for funding and revitalization, and the newly renovated park opened in 2010. Today HSC continues its active participation with the SDR Park Coalition to ensure community park stewardship is fostered.