Unplug and Play: Governor Hochul Announces $67.5 Million for 89 Projects to Build and Improve Playgrounds Across New York State

More Than $36 Million Will Support Playground Projects in Underserved Communities

Funding Will Support New and Improved Playgrounds Across Every Region of New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $67.5 million in grants through New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) for 89 projects to build, expand and renovate public playgrounds across New York State. The awards will help municipalities and nonprofit organizations create and improve accessible outdoor spaces where children of all abilities can play, be active and connect with their communities.

The $67.5 million in state funding will support playground projects representing more than $145 million in total investment. More than $36 million will support projects in underserved communities, expanding access to safe, high-quality outdoor recreation across the state.

“Playgrounds give children a place to be active, build friendships and connect with the world around them,” Governor Hochul said. “Through NY PLAYS, we are investing in communities across our state and creating more safe, accessible places where children of all abilities can get outside and play. These projects will give more New York families opportunities to put down their devices, spend time together and build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.”

The awards will support 36 new playgrounds, 23 major expansions and 30 renovations across all 10 regions of New York State. Projects range from new adaptive and inclusive playgrounds to major improvements that will modernize existing neighborhood play spaces.

NY PLAYS is part of Governor Hochul’s Unplug and Play initiative, which encourages children and families to put down their devices, spend more time outdoors, be physically active and connect with one another. The initiative also includes the Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) and Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS).

Highlights by region include:

Capital Region — $4.6 Million

• Central School District Towns of Lake George, Queensbury, Bolton and Fort Ann — $1.09 million for a new playground area at Lake George Elementary School.
• City of Watervliet — $650,836 to expand the Clinton Park playground.
• Village of Hoosick Falls — $640,000 for a new playground at Panther Park.

Central New York — $2.6 Million

• Town of Brookfield — $678,640 to transform the central Town Park into a multigenerational recreation destination with a new playground.
• Town of Sullivan — $646,099 to expand and renovate the Lake Street playground.
• Village of Moravia — $471,231 to renovate the playground at Ethel Fuller Park.

Finger Lakes — $8.2 Million

• City of Rochester — $1.2 million to renovate the Jackson Recreation Center playground.
• Village of Brockport — $786,609 for new playground equipment at Corbett Park.
• City of Batavia — $730,320 to replace an outdated playground.

Long Island — $6.1 Million

• Town of Riverhead — $2.4 million for a new adaptive children’s playground.
• Village of Hempstead — $1.61 million to renovate the Kennedy Memorial Park playground.
• Chabad of Mid-Suffolk — $750,000 to develop a new community park and playground.

Mid-Hudson — $15.5 Million

• Orange County — $2.5 million for a new playground at Camp LaGuardia County Park.
• Central UTA of Monsey — $2.1 million for a new playground at 236 Cherry Lane.
• City of Newburgh — $2 million for a destination playground at Delano-Hitch Park.

Mohawk Valley — $2 Million

• City of Rome — $1.99 million to create a community park at Stevens Field, including a new playground.

New York City — $15 Million

• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation — $2.5 million for a new playground at Gwen Ifill Park in Queens.
• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation — $2.5 million to expand Lozada Playground in the Bronx.
• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation — $2.5 million to expand the Kaiser Park playground in Brooklyn.

North Country — $4.6 Million

• Town of Plattsburgh — $1.28 million for a new playground at the Battlefield Memorial Gateway.
• Indian River Central School District — $811,200 to renovate the playground and adjacent tennis and basketball court at Calcium Primary School.
• City of Ogdensburg — $799,569 for new playground equipment and a new sports court.

Southern Tier — $3.4 Million

• City of Norwich — $1.18 million to renovate the playground at Weiler Park.
• Village of Montour Falls — $600,000 to construct an inclusive playground and adjacent ADA-compliant restrooms at the marina.
• Village of Endicott — $409,200 to replace and expand the playground at Riverview Park.

Western New York — $5.5 Million

• City of Buffalo — $2 million to create a fully accessible play space at Kingsley Park.
• Town of Cheektowaga — $1.82 million to redevelop the playground at Nokomis Park.
• Town of Pomfret — $821,221 for a new playground.

The NY PLAYS initiative is overseen by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.