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March 6, 2021

Owls Head Park Isn’t Big Enough To Have One Wheelchair Swing!

At Community Board 10’s Meeting this week, they discussed the redesign of Owls Head and JJ Carty Park.


A NYC Parks Representative said Owl’s Head Park was not big enough for one wheelchair swing!

In the Fall, Parks had virtual meetings and pretended to be interested in resident’s ideas for the park. We heard child talk about amazing ideas for the playground. (See here) The design produced seemed a lot more generic and less magical than what was discussed last Fall.

When the park is redone – it will be new and the children will love it. Well, the children who can play there will love it.

The redesign of Owl’s Head Park did not correct any issues that currently exist. And parents won’t be given an enclosed area for small children to run in.

The redesign of JJ Carty Park didn’t even include the legendary whale. These designers didn’t seem to understand the needs of the community or that the park’s history was important to the people.

Strangely both parks were designed without any swings for handicapped children. How are park designs in NYC allowed to leave out children in wheelchairs in 2021?

How did Councilman Brannan let the design to to CB 10 without including all children? He put the money into the project and didn’t follow through.

Theresa Monteforte-Caraballo, who knows the families from our area because of her work (Grandma’s Love) spoke out for handicapped children.

Listen to Parks tell Theresa there is not enough room at Owl’s Head Park:

That’s complete nonsense! There’s plenty of room in Owls Head Park!

CB 10 usually has me cheering. This morning, I am disappointed and surprised they didn’t back Theresa. There should have been more people speaking up for at least one park to be inclusive. No one voted against it!!

This four million dollar plan will allow handicapped children and the families to go to Owls Head Park and use the path to the swing area and watch other children swing.

There’s not eight feet of room for a swing like this?!

That’s VERY sad.

If there is no room at Owl’s Head Park for a handicapped swing, then why wasn’t this park area in Bay Ridge made into an accessible park for handicapped children?

A million dollars is being spent for that area in Bay Ridge to be made into a large poop collecting area with synthetic grass….also known as a dog park.

Owls Head Park is a huge park…there’s space for one wheelchair swing!

If you see this isn’t fair and believe we can do better, please write to NYC Parks Commissioner Silver.

When things get gross at our parks and it fires me up, I write to Commissioner Silver – he responds and makes things happen! (Link to Commissioner Silver)

Here’s my sample – you can copy and paste this or make your own:

Dear Commissioner Silver,

Owl’s Head Park is being redesigned without a wheelchair accessible swing. No park in Bay Ridge has made accommodations for children in wheelchairs. We don’t want to leave these families out. Can you help include this in the plan or let me know who I can contact to get help. Thank you!

.

Hugs,
marlene

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