Parks, NYU present revised Mercer Playground design focused on wheeled play

New York City Department of Parks and Recreation staff and NYU representatives presented an updated design for the interim renovation of Mercer Playground (Mercer Street between Bleecker and West Third Streets) at the Community Board 2 Parks and Waterfront Committee meeting in June 2020.

The revised plan, Parks Deputy Director Ricardo Henkel said, replaces the piecemeal painted-track approach shown in February with a small master plan centered on three curvilinear concrete-formed ellipses and low, asphalt mounds intended to support “wheeled play” — bicycles, scooters and skateboards — for younger children. “The budget for our project is $385,000 and that includes soft costs,” Henkel said, adding that Parks would use its own design budget for a broader master plan work so more of the grant funding could go to construction.

Committee members and residents said they appreciated the clearer, more permanent approach but asked detailed questions about materials, durability, safety and operations. Several speakers who live adjacent to the park urged limits on age of users and hours of operation; others asked about sightlines, tree protection and the potential for the space to be taken over by older skateboarders.

Why it matters: Mercer Playground is a compact neighborhood park that already draws mixed uses, from children’s spray-play in the northern corner to older youth riding bikes in the center. The Parks presentation aimed to preserve wheeled play while removing the small, sheltered seating corner residents said had become a locus for camped activity and smoking. With a modest, earmarked private contribution from NYU, Parks is proposing durable materials rather than paint to reduce maintenance needs and better formalize the play circulation.

What Parks proposed - A consolidated active zone in the center of the playground consisting of three formed ellipses (concrete bench pads and curving formed edges) and three low mounds (about 15–18 inches high) designed for gentle wheeled play. - Mounds of compacted asphalt rather than synthetic turf; Henkel said synthetic turf would add roughly 20% to the cost and is restricted for small shapes by the Public Design Commission. - Removal or relocation of benches in the southern “cozy corner” to the Mercer Street edge and enlargement of linear planting beds to discourage secluded activity. - One Mercer Street gate to be opened for daily access and other gates to remain locked at night; the park’s 17-foot double gates remain in place to preserve FDNY emergency access.

Community reaction and operational questions Committee members who asked questions included Matt Metzger and Kristen Shea; residents and users who commented during the attendee portion included Lawrence (a resident of 3 Washington Square Village), Simon Green and Becky Bowler. Speakers who supported the design said it better served the younger kids who currently use the central pavement for riding and would be more durable than painted pavement features. “It looks like a wonderful entry-level park … great for kids to learn to ride their bikes,” said Lawrence (resident).

Several residents voiced concerns about noise and older skateboarding users. Simon Green and other nearby residents said they worried the redesigned space could attract older skateboarders who generate more noise and challenge neighbors at night. Parks staff described signage and closure at night as operational tools and said enforcement and hours would be determined in coordination with Parks operations. Henkel said Parks intended the features to be a mild challenge geared primarily to preteens (roughly 8–13 years old) and not to attract the more aggressive hardware and coping used by older skateboarders.

Budget and scope clarifications - The approximately $385,000 currently allocated covers the phase described and includes soft costs; Henkel said the construction portion is smaller than that total. Source: Ricardo Henkel (Parks). - Parks staff estimated a full master-plan buildout for a larger phase could be roughly $1.0 million to $1.25 million depending on infrastructure needs (for example, changes to water service for the northern spray area or other utilities). Henkel said Parks would return to elected officials and NYU to seek any additional funding. - Material choices: asphalt mounds (economical and appropriate for wheeled play) and formed concrete bench pads (permanent replacement for painted asphalt benches and wall painting removed from the scope).

Discussion vs. decision The committee did not take a formal vote at the meeting. Presenters requested community feedback and indicated Parks would proceed with the funded central-phase work unless the board or elected officials directed otherwise. Committee members and residents asked Parks to include operational commitments in any approvals — locking gates at night, signage restricting intended age ranges, and periodic review of use — and Parks staff said they would consider those operational measures.

What’s next Parks said the funded central portion will move forward under the current budget; Parks and NYU plan follow-up outreach with elected officials to seek additional funding for a larger master plan if needed. Committee members asked Parks to return with implementation details — proposed hours, signage, and an operations plan for limiting unintended older-user takeovers — before the next formal approvals or public-design filings.

Ending: Residents and committee members praised the clearer master-plan approach while urging Parks and NYU to add operational safeguards and community review to reduce the chance of nighttime or older-user problems. Parks described the current phase as funded and moving ahead but open to further community input on hours and enforcement.