New Queensbridge playground opens

Queensbridge Houses residents and eager children who couldn’t wait to try it out welcomed a new playground last week.

The $600,000 renovation project was funded by Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, and features repaired play structures and new spray showers and colorful decorations.

“I want the children of Queensbridge to be happy and healthy and have fun and have all these areas to play in,” Van Bramer said. “And they should play in beautiful, nice equipment just like any other child.”

The playground is a complete renovation, which according to April Simpson, president of the Queensbridge Tenant Association, was very much needed.

“Kids didn’t have anything else to play with,” Simpson said. “They had a rocking horse that looked like it was about to rock off. Now the kids have something safe to play in.”

Simpson hoped the new space will bring “more unity in our community.”

“You have parents who can now sit on the bench and safely watch their children play,” Simpson said. “They can have fun and not get hurt.”