The Uncertain Future for a New Patch of Play Space on the BPC Promenade

Kids toss bean bags during a day of programmed activity at the Greenway Playscape on the promenade between West Street and Little West Street. Six Fridays of activities, called Games & Grooves, had been planned for September and October, but two were rained out. Photo courtesy of the Battery Park City Authority 

There’s a short stretch of Battery Park City walkway that’s just for fun.

At least that was the idea behind the artificial turf and other pavement covering that now overlays a portion of the promenade next to Little West Street, between First and Second Place. 

Having sought a modest alternative to Wagner Park, currently closed for resiliency reconstruction, the Battery Park City Authority experimented this fall with what it calls a Greenway Playscape. For six Fridays in September and October (two of which were rained out) the Authority programmed the space with Games & Grooves: ping pong, bocce, cornhole and other games were available. There was also a DJ and picnic table seating. (IS 276’s afterschool girls volleyball players now make the turf their place to practice.)

This was an experimental first phase of the Authority's vision for a temporary 3-block-long recreation space near popular Wagner Park. The park is due to reopen in spring, 2025

Parks Programming Director Craig Hudon called the trial run a “mixed success.” Forty people used it the first day, but the numbers dwindled after that, with 72 participants in total.

“I’d say we had a moderate level of interaction. I would like to have seen more,” Hudon told CB1’s Battery Park City Committee earlier this month. “We didn’t see a gain in traction over the six-week run but it was appreciated by the people who took part.”

Not so appreciative were a couple of people on the committee. Eric Flores called the Playscape “an eyesore in a beautiful place.” “I didn’t think it’s worth it to keep up for 18 people on a Friday.” He added, however, that he would be willing to see how the space fares next spring and summer.

When the play space is in use, pedestrians have to share a narrower width of the wide walkway. Committee member Betty Kay, who is mobility-impaired and uses a scooter, called that inconvenient for her as well as people who walk. “Everybody has to move out of the way,” she complained.

In addition, several people noted that dogs pee on the turf.

“The last thing we want to do is be a nuisance,” said Dan Dickson, the BPCA’s director of planning and design. “If the best thing is to get rid of it, that’s ok. If we can troubleshoot how to improve it, we’re open to that as well.”

It appears the BPCA will give the space at least one more shot. Next spring, it may try “some variation” of Games & Grooves, but without the turf and ground covering, BPCA spokesman Nick Sbordone later told the Trib in an email. In the meantime, the Authority is soliciting ideas from the public on how to use the space. A Temporary Playscape survey can be found here, and through a QR code on the ground covering at the site.

“I like the idea of coming back in the spring and giving it one last hurrah,” BPC Committee chair Justine Cuccia said.