Upper East Side, New York, NY – Students at Yorkville Community School (YCS) will soon have a new $2.5 million outdoor play space on their roof. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Council Member Ben Kallos, and Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright announced today that construction started during the pandemic and will be completed next year. The students at YCS do not have an outdoor play space, and this project will give them a safe place to learn and play.
$1.2 million in funding for this project comes from Council Member Ben Kallos, $500,000 of which was allocated from participatory budgeting, which the school won in 2015 thanks to the advocacy of the student and parent community. Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright contributed $125,000 to the project. The remaining funding was carried over from a previous capital project.
“As a parent in New York City, I understand the need for more green spaces for our children to run and play safely,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “That is why as a Council Member I have prioritized building green and play roofs and gymnasiums for our students. I am excited for students at YCS to have a safe space to get exercise and sunlight during the school day.”
“We are more than excited to have this new rooftop playground. Thanks to our elected officials and our community, it is coming to fruition. We are maximizing space and creating more outdoor play spaces for our children. They deserve this,” said Yorkville Community School Principal Samantha Kaplan.
“I am thrilled to join with Council Member Kallos in breaking ground on the PS 151,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney. “The COVID-19 crisis made it clear just how important outdoor spaces are for New Yorkers stuck indoors. This new roof will provide an oasis for the students to play and be outdoors. I can’t wait to see the project come to completion next year.”
“As a member of the Assembly Education Committee, proud public school parents and former PTA activist I was please to award PS151 Yorkville Community School with $125,000 for the construction of a rooftop play space and garden. Our students deserve a safe space to learn and play. I commend Principal Samantha Kaplan, school leadership, and PTA for seeing this through for the Yorkville Community School community,” said Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright.