NYCHA Amsterdam Houses to get long-awaited playground renovation

The Amsterdam Houses on Manhattan’s Upper West Side are set to transform an underused parking lot into a vibrant playground, thanks to a $250,000 grant secured by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.

The funding, part of the New York State Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) program, will support critical upgrades to the playground outside the Amsterdam Early Childhood Education Center at 206 West 64th Street. Planned improvements include repaving cracked surfaces, installing new playground equipment and fencing, and adding greenery to beautify the space.

“This playground has been an empty parking lot for decades,” Hoylman-Sigal said in a news release. “All children in New York City deserve a safe place to play, and this CREST funding will help make that a reality for the children living in NYCHA’s Amsterdam Houses and the surrounding neighborhood.”

The center, operated by the nonprofit Hudson Guild, offers programs for children, older adults, and mental health services. The revamped playground will also be open to Amsterdam Houses residents during hours when the center is closed.

The project is the result of a collaborative effort involving Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, and Councilmember Gale Brewer. Local leaders and residents expressed their excitement about the long-awaited improvements.

“This is great!” said Yvette Powell, president of the Amsterdam Houses Tenant Association. “Thanks to Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal for this long-awaited beautification project. We at Amsterdam Houses are all about uplifting our community to show beauty and hope in all we do.”

The renovation marks a significant step toward improving community spaces for NYCHA residents and ensuring that local children have a safe and welcoming place to play.