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