[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6558530,"mediaKeyId","3242519-38ca7454dd50886cbf0bb900c7887371","parentId",3242519,"title","Morris Park: temporary light installation extended, plantings and a $100,000 grant planned for summer","audioSeconds",266,"startMs",3422000,"endMs",3688000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242519-38ca7454dd50886cbf0bb900c7887371&start=3422&end=3688","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242519-38ca7454dd50886cbf0bb900c7887371/thumbnail_3422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6558530/Bronx-CountyCity/New-York/Morris-Park-temporary-light-installation-extended-plantings-and-a-100000-grant-planned-for-summer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558530-ebc643f58107c7b234848126dafcf1af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111842&Signature=WjvlrbHlITetmQKEiqA7r-QcAX8pBpmCXMPlIYCfPdz~mc3pjFBH8JNzvMUr70rPShyrs-8KVkB6jrpUANlXTSn23VQvlEBrl~PYPHVJqdyszszzu5buwaPTSCprtuubTDe0~KTKYBSi-LP5pAZGCqrqroL9VOF9Xx~uhxMqdxq~4BRUL5A5WnfgpBKYKtxtwc7csaTpvuqZyTNCAC0YSu2q8CWNoyQt1Aj4OKQ1oQyM0MCJnCbbktGRfFgyyUkcPrNnAJtawgqwRmcZvt5QCfUufxvGTtfGrk3nyA7gZYNZNBtFk4wo28dbRph0B81uzLeJiFv4CAeabw6TJOWdlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bronx, NY","date","2025-05-09T13:14:34Z","article","Community volunteers and park staff reported several neighborhood improvement projects for Morris Park Avenue at the Community Board 11 Parks & Recreation Committee meeting on May 8. A temporary light installation at Loreto Park that had been in place for a year will be continued under a revised design called \"Morris Park Stars,\" and the board said it received positive feedback about the nighttime lighting.

Camela, who reported for local park volunteers, said the prior installation represented \"a hundred thousand dollars worth of an installation,\" and that crews and volunteers completed an Earth Day planting with Urban Rangers and Partnership for Parks. The board said the plan is to plant native and ornamental plants and re‑mulch selected green areas; parks staff and volunteers expect the plantings to be installed in May.

The Bronx Park East Community Association said it received a $100,000 grant (reported at the meeting) that has been allocated to re‑mulch and other treatments around local medians and that the association will pursue funding for tree guards and additional plantings. Parks staff confirmed they will coordinate on tree‑planting and tree‑guard work and encouraged the association to submit items for the Community Board’s budget priorities process for fiscal year 2027.

At Matthew Mulliner Park the board said it is preparing a permit application for a small art installation with a local artist. Parks representatives praised community volunteers and staff — Juan Cortez was singled out as an on‑the‑ground coordinator — and asked residents to report issues with photos to expedite agency follow up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks & Recreation Committee 5/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Loreto Park will host a redesigned light installation called \"Morris Park Stars\" for another year, plantings and re‑mulch are planned for May, and a $100,000 neighborhood grant will fund treatments and tree‑guard work, board members said.","taxTitle","Bronx County/City, New York","taxId",3379,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6558534,"Residents press parks on illegal barbecuing, trash and enforcement; parks cites staffing limits and seeks partners",1392,1822000,3214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242519-38ca7454dd50886cbf0bb900c7887371&start=1822&end=3214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242519-38ca7454dd50886cbf0bb900c7887371/thumbnail_1822000.jpg","/articles/6558534/Bronx-CountyCity/New-York/Residents-press-parks-on-illegal-barbecuing-trash-and-enforcement-parks-cites-staffing-limits-and-seeks-partners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558534-2a06ca398a9bdff4d250970df28bca1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111842&Signature=GT-24VmgB~00O3PG9kVqZ-g~wXJgg-uak4eThtEg7vuAw3wrfQT5S3F2ftqsTQ7UfMMs5DEQ74I9SPsvpSvDMeDUMHgsPrB-KPPaeka5CFOIepvXUIcY9IyQMFaqvU8gNsmG-AVa2yw~liEWPIBsEgFkUWtlm7t~-m9uZgDNzhZ9hlqgIO62E4DtTC-~oxqk8907hx-nFKXbf5rxIHIp3e6ocF4UzO1AjHJU5V1kU~6M72R3yCJQnxCqOTFSAVaEmH1oIaitQa5d2nceCzn7w7LHLFa2WyFQu8Ppu~51sXABWhlpM7PTcr2GmMz3oMGzZ4oAvi5Tcwy9~atQtC7wSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of Bronx Park East and Community Board 11 members pressed NYC Parks on recurring illegal barbecuing, hot coals and large amounts of trash left on weekends. At the May 8 committee meeting, board members and neighbors described weekend scenes that leave Monday mornings littered with barbecue debris.

Matt Doran, regional manager for NYC Parks, said parks will \"do the best we can\" with enforcement but noted staffing limits for borough park enforcement: \"Right now, we have 23. I think we're going into the season with 23, maybe 24, PEP officers for the entire borough for all shifts.\" He said parks is placing “signage all over the place” and noted that Pelham Parkway North zones 1 and 2 already have no‑barbecuing signs installed.

Residents questioned why officers do not always issue tickets when they encounter illegal grilling. Doran said he did not have an explanation for individual enforcement decisions but encouraged board members to work with their council members to request more PEP officers. Kaye, a resident who has worked with Bronx River Alliance, urged re‑scheduling enforcement patrols to peak use times; she said mounted officers who patrol at 6:30 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. might be more effective if shifted to afternoons and weekends when barbecuing occurs.

On trash and illegal dumping, parks staff warned of a tradeoff in adding public bins. Doran said placing more cans can lead to increased illegal dumping and explained that some composting and larger public trash receptacles are managed by the Department of Sanitation or community partners such as the Bronx River Alliance, not by parks. He said a limited number of \"big belly\" receptacles are being phased out in the Bronx.

Community groups described local efforts to reduce litter, including Partnership for Parks volunteer cleanups and an upcoming farmer's market that will offer composting beginning in June. The Bronx Park East Community Association said it secured a $100,000 grant from an unnamed source to fund re‑mulching and plantings and is coordinating with parks on tree guards and other neighborhood projects.

The committee agreed to invite the Bronx River Alliance to the June meeting to discuss composting and cleanups; parks staff supported the idea. The board also asked parks to share what targeted enforcement or staffing requests the council members could pursue.","Community members urged stronger action on weekend barbecuing and litter in Bronx Park East and along Pelham Parkway; parks said borough enforcement staffing is limited (about 23 PEP officers) and recommended collaboration with council members, Bronx River Alliance and volunteer groups; parks will invite Bronx River Alliance to the June meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6558539,"Eastchester Playground construction continues; parks and Botanical Garden coordinate signage for Eastgate closure",120,951000,1071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242519-38ca7454dd50886cbf0bb900c7887371&start=951&end=1071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242519-38ca7454dd50886cbf0bb900c7887371/thumbnail_951000.jpg","/articles/6558539/Bronx-CountyCity/New-York/Eastchester-Playground-construction-continues-parks-and-Botanical-Garden-coordinate-signage-for-Eastgate-closure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558539-0e930a12d658cd26f0cd9a7fb36e9933/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111842&Signature=mNushCkYKEvxJ5peaBOI2dAzBYSWzl3b0oOOOKMZtre8zS4ju2NuQjyidHNpSOl0~mNgJapYYDrCK0JIjmCL-rLs48flN0B4li4EMyLIF5yuazS8Lpv6cvwV7E2pgwaxP5zIjEvh24ar5opJO1HtBK-dONWeJTpNTXFvR~p8kMzlGUPwdQWtgzTKXlUMxt0rB3bj~qJghJfPetmQlN2oM6h1XfUZo6Cn7vUO9vu6PBRj2GIDT66e6bs99eoO1uD~B-SFIR2DZTz1AbMOLgOHux2iQze-hBLX3LP0CcjtxFROZE~SPHgwuXyA99CtYAAXzVum4GBljB1ngzs891SFow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Construction at Eastchester Playground began in March 2025, and NYC Parks officials told Community Board 11 the contractor is working on a roughly one‑year schedule with expected completion by March 2026. \"Construction just started March 2025, and we expect construction to be completed by March 2026,\" Matt Doran, regional manager for NYC Parks, said at the May 8 meeting.

The committee also discussed the closure of the Eastgate entrance that leads into the New York Botanical Garden and how visitors are being routed to alternate entrances. Parks said the Botanical Garden produced laminated, black‑and‑white 8.5-by-11 signs (English and Spanish) to be posted around the construction zone to inform visitors and direct them to other entry points. Parks staff said the signs \"were produced by the botanical garden\" and that parks would review posting locations through its sign committee. Doran said the signs \"were given to the district today to post, so it should probably be posted by tomorrow.\"

Board members pressed for more advance signage farther from the entrance so that visitors do not have to walk to the fence before learning the entrance is closed. Parks staff said the parks sign committee must review proposed sign locations and that the agency will not place an excessive number of low‑level signs across a continuous greenway. \"We have a sign committee that would review the signs, that would review the location of signage, and then we go from there,\" a parks official said.

Parks agreed to provide Community Board 11 a screenshot of the approved signage for the board to share on neighborhood channels and to supply a contact at the Botanical Garden who handles signage; committee members were given a contact name, Angel Hernandez, for coordination. Parks also said the Botanical Garden had posted closure information on its website.

The board emphasized the need for coordinated outreach — including website notices and social posts — to reduce confusion for visitors arriving by bus or on foot. Parks staff said they would share the signage and Botanical Garden contacts with the board to help neighborhood outreach efforts.","Construction at Eastchester Playground began in March 2025 with an expected March 2026 completion; signage directing visitors to alternate Botanical Garden entrances is being posted after parks and the botanical garden coordinated approvals and parks said it will share signage screenshots and contacts with the board.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6558544,"Zimmerman Playground reconstruction underway; parks to confirm porta‑potty contract and cleaning schedule by June",111,357000,468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242519-38ca7454dd50886cbf0bb900c7887371&start=357&end=468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242519-38ca7454dd50886cbf0bb900c7887371/thumbnail_357000.jpg","/articles/6558544/Bronx-CountyCity/New-York/Zimmerman-Playground-reconstruction-underway-parks-to-confirm-portapotty-contract-and-cleaning-schedule-by-June","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558544-7a7132b163b31e91d4e17fe876bd4a50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111842&Signature=JB29oWhSfhTruCFEScHLevuupYeBb1~dwGeKVE4T~0dLCM4HgekZGr0q8bOk1VfTwqiGbTDks3llsScGYlm7IdYbxE0DdgxqXaOHa4lrNMIgmJLZH1fczO6foqCP-oajzEp~8Zo~5V1LFbBnxJHtkvIbEd2HVTPdXVJ~OP7me6MMsO0pRsBRZYKJRxhU7pkWd0hBOysymQ1amvAOOsEP3cmrDqzsCVhvoY3x8Q75L9jQbhjqwqiXOjhKDnqbNpYQSzBaqXXWU3U8UPVbvCGKGvO7Prdtyxx1r8~Mg46BIJUYFkyvPayaZTibC0ZWQt5gdyZDuNwHRmJegZ-b7bGyuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Zimmerman Playground in the Bronx is in the procurement phase for a reconstruction contract, and parks officials said construction is expected to begin in early 2026. Clara Barone, director of capital parks for NYC Parks, told Community Board 11’s Parks & Recreation Committee on May 8 that the agency \"recently sent out the construction contract to bid\" and is \"hoping that construction starts early in 2026.\"

The committee pressed parks about bathroom facilities at Zimmerman. Matt Doran, regional manager for NYC Parks, said bathroom work is still in design procurement: \"We are currently in the process of procuring design consultants. We're pending the certificate to proceed, and approval from OMB.\" Doran added that parks is \"waiting for the request for proposal from OMB\" before hiring design consultants and that, if procurement goes smoothly, design would begin in fall 2025.

Residents and board members raised sanitation concerns tied to porta‑potty service at the site. Juan Cortez, who provided on‑the‑ground updates during the meeting, said the contractor sends weekly cleaning reports to parks. Doran told the committee the agency must use vendors under existing city contracts but said parks will \"start to hold this contractor accountable\" and \"work with Juan\" to ensure service. The contractor name was spoken of during the meeting in two variants recorded as \"Callhead\" and \"Callahead.\" Committee members asked parks to confirm the correct contractor name, the contract terms, and how often the units are being serviced.

Committee members requested a clear reply on frequency of cleaning by June. Doran responded, \"We will look into this.\" Cynthia Rodriguez, Community Board 11 chair, and other board members asked parks staff to provide the contract frequency (one or two times per week was discussed) and any communications from the contractor documenting last service dates.

Parks advised that full contract copies are obtainable through a public records request: as Doran said, \"I don't think so, unless you go through the Freedom of Information Act.\" He encouraged residents to take photographs and report service problems so the agency can investigate specific incidents.

The discussion combined procurement and operations: the capital timeline for reconstruction and the separate operational contract for temporary restroom service. Parks said it will report back to the board with the contractor status and cleaning schedule by June.","Parks said the Zimmerman Playground reconstruction is in procurement with construction expected in early 2026; design work for new bathrooms is pending OMB approval and parks staff agreed to confirm contractor and cleaning-frequency details by June after residents raised sanitation concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Morris Park: temporary light installation extended, plantings and a $100,000 grant planned for summer

Residents press parks on illegal barbecuing, trash and enforcement; parks cites staffing limits and seeks partners

Eastchester Playground construction continues; parks and Botanical Garden coordinate signage for Eastgate closure

Zimmerman Playground reconstruction underway; parks to confirm porta‑potty contract and cleaning schedule by June