Unplug and Play: Governor Hochul Announces $67.5 Million for 89 Projects to Build and Improve Playgrounds Across New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $67.5 million in grants through New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) for 89 projects to build, expand and renovate public playgrounds across New York State. The awards will help municipalities and nonprofit organizations create and improve accessible outdoor spaces where children of all abilities can play, be active and connect with their communities.

The $67.5 million in state funding will support playground projects representing more than $145 million in total investment. More than $36 million will support projects in underserved communities, expanding access to safe, high-quality outdoor recreation across the state.

"Playgrounds give children a place to be active, build friendships and connect with the world around them," Governor Hochul said. "Through NY PLAYS, we are investing in communities across our state and creating more safe, accessible places where children of all abilities can get outside and play. These projects will give more New York families opportunities to put down their devices, spend time together and build healthy habits that can last a lifetime."

The awards will support 36 new playgrounds, 23 major expansions and 30 renovations across all 10 regions of New York State. Projects range from new adaptive and inclusive playgrounds to major improvements that will modernize existing neighborhood play spaces.

NY PLAYS is part of Governor Hochul's Unplug and Play initiative, which encourages children and families to put down their devices, spend more time outdoors, be physically active and connect with one another. The initiative also includes the Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) and Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS).

Dormitory Authority of the State of New York President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said, "DASNY is proud to administer NY PLAYS and support communities across New York through this important program. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and continued investment in public spaces that give children and families more opportunities to get outside, be active and connect with one another."

New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Kathy Moser said, "Thanks to Governor Hochul's NY PLAYS initiative, communities across the state are getting the support they need to create more opportunities for children and families to enjoy the proven benefits of outdoor recreation. These new playgrounds will encourage kids to put down their screens, head outside, meet new friends and make healthy activity a bigger part of their everyday lives."

State Senator José M. Serrano said, "The New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) Initiative is an important investment for municipalities and nonprofit organizations to construct, expand, and renovate public playgrounds across New York State. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, I believe it is essential that every New Yorker has access to safe, high-quality outdoor recreational spaces to stay active, connect with their communities, and support their health and overall well-being. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul and my colleagues in government for their continued commitment to this important initiative."

Assemblymember Ron Kim said, "NY PLAYS is a major initiative to give kids across New York more places and outdoor space to play, make friends and unplug from their digital devices. It will also offer families and especially parents more opportunities to unwind and relax. I have consistently advocated for developing accessible recreational spaces that bring New Yorkers of all ages together, and this is another important step in that direction. I thank Governor Hochul and her team at the State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for their efforts to bring this to fruition."

A complete list of NY PLAYS grant recipients and awards is available here.

Highlights by region include:

Capital Region - $4.6 Million

• Central School District Towns of Lake George, Queensbury, Bolton and Fort Ann - $1.09 million for a new playground area at Lake George Elementary School.
• City of Watervliet - $650,836 to expand the Clinton Park playground.
• Village of Hoosick Falls - $640,000 for a new playground at Panther Park.

Central New York - $2.6 Million

• Town of Brookfield - $678,640 to transform the central Town Park into a multigenerational recreation destination with a new playground.
• Town of Sullivan - $646,099 to expand and renovate the Lake Street playground.
• Village of Moravia - $471,231 to renovate the playground at Ethel Fuller Park.

Finger Lakes - $8.2 Million

• City of Rochester - $1.2 million to renovate the Jackson Recreation Center playground.
• Village of Brockport - $786,609 for new playground equipment at Corbett Park.
• City of Batavia - $730,320 to replace an outdated playground.

Long Island - $6.1 Million

• Town of Riverhead - $2.4 million for a new adaptive children's playground.
• Village of Hempstead - $1.61 million to renovate the Kenny Memorial Park playground.
• Chabad of Mid-Suffolk - $750,000 to develop a new community park and playground.

Mid-Hudson - $15.5 Million

• Orange County - $2.5 million for a new playground at Camp LaGuardia County Park.
• Central UTA of Monsey - $2.1 million for a new playground at 236 Cherry Lane.
• City of Newburgh - $2 million for a destination playground at Delano-Hitch Park.

Mohawk Valley - $2 Million

• City of Rome - $1.99 million to create a community park at Stevens Field, including a new playground.

New York City - $15 Million

• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation - $2.5 million for a new playground at Gwen Ifill Park in Queens.
• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation - $2.5 million to expand Lozada Playground in the Bronx.
• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation - $2.5 million to expand the Kaiser Park playground in Brooklyn.

North Country - $4.6 Million

• Town of Plattsburgh - $1.28 million for a new playground at the Battlefield Memorial Gateway.
• Indian River Central School District - $811,200 to renovate the playground and adjacent tennis and basketball court at Calcium Primary School.
• City of Ogdensburg - $799,569 for new playground equipment and a new sports court.

Southern Tier - $3.4 Million

• City of Norwich - $1.18 million to renovate the playground at Weiler Park.
• Village of Montour Falls - $600,000 to construct an inclusive playground and adjacent ADA-compliant restrooms at the marina.
• Village of Endicott - $409,200 to replace and expand the playground at Riverview Park.

Western New York - $5.5 Million

• City of Buffalo - $2 million to create a fully accessible play space at Kingsley Park.
• Town of Cheektowaga - $1.82 million to redevelop the playground at Nokomis Park.
• Town of Pomfret - $821,221 for a new playground.

Governor Hochul's Unplug and Play Initiative

Governor Hochul's Unplug and Play initiative is making statewide investments in recreational infrastructure that give children and families more opportunities to be active, spend time outdoors and connect with one another. In addition to NY PLAYS, the initiative includes the Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS), which has awarded nearly $260 million to 79 projects to build and improve swimming facilities across New York State, and Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS), which has awarded $100 million to 30 community center projects. An additional $75 million has been made available for a second round of NY BRICKS funding.

The NY PLAYS initiative is overseen by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.