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Paul Raimonda Playground about to undergo upgrade
Dec. 8, 2013 By Christian Murray
Paul Raimonda Playground, located on 20th Avenue (between 47 St. and 48 St.), is about to undergo a makeover.
Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., in a press conference last Tuesday, said that about $800,000 of city funds are being diverted toward upgrading the playground. He said that the improvements, which will begin during the fall of 2014, will come in two stages.
Phase 1 will begin by replacing the bocce court (a traditional Italian game requiring a court) with fitness equipment. Vallone said there will be a new spray shower shaped like a Steinway piano—as well as new benches. The asphalt will be replaced and the flagpole reconstructed.
Phase 2 will include new play equipment, painted games, gate repair and the resealing of the basketball court.
The last major contribution allocated to the playground was $527,000 by Vallone’s father, Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. in 1995.
The playground is named after Paul Raimonda (1922-1988), an outspoken community leader who lived his entire life in the area.