Playing Spect-Actor

Phoebe Harris Kelley Johnson

PLAYING SPECT-ACTOR [SPECTATOR - ACTOR]

Utilizing publicly-owned space to create a new urban density of community benefits by generating the social capital necessary for jointly operated playgrounds to thrive.

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OUR POSITION The Marx Brothers playground, located in East Harlem, is in the process of being sold by the City of New York to a private developer based on the claim that the parcel is technically a ‘playground’, not a ‘park’. Thus, it falls under the jurisdiction of the City, not the State. Opponents of the proposal claim that, as there are 268 other similar playgrounds in the city (called Jointly Operated Playgrounds), this development would set an important precedent – privileging not only buildings over playgrounds, but private interests over the public realm.

Our position is that each of the J.O.P.s in East Harlem need to be preserved, and that the J.O.Ps needs a certain amount social capital to survive. East Harlem has a robust existing system of educational programs, community based non-profits, and recreation space, yet this area still has major issues surrounding education and public health. Through our project, we aim to tie together the existing system of public and private initiatives and organizations through small interventions. We imagine that these interventions would generate community based feedback loops that would increase in scale while still exaggerating each site’s individual characteristics.

This book presents small scale interventions for each of the nine J.O.P.s in East Harlem as well as a mid-scale, and large scale intervention for three of them. The goal of the small scale interventions is to create conversation and speculation about the potential of the J.O.P. as a community asset beyond recreational outdoor space. The mid-level intervention capitalizes on this speculation by facilitating the exaggeration of the site’s unique characteristics. Lastly, the most intensive intervention anticipates private development but utilizes that investment to further the site specific attributes that make each J.O.P. special.

Table of Contents To learn about the small scale interventions, please go to page 13 From Colombia? Go to page 4 Interested in Early Childhood Developement, go to page 30 Should Theater be a part of Politics? Pages 4, 13 and 73 Bees? page 58 Octogenarians and eight and a half year olds pages 41 - 54 Citizen Cards in East Harlem page 21 New York City Government owned Land page 1 - 86 Puppeteers page 4 - 7 Dance Roof Parties page 83 Policies influences Parks page 6 - 12 Ideas for East Harlem pages 13 - 86 Chutes and Ladders pages 44, 48 and 50 3

LEARNING FROM MOCKUS’S PARTICIPATORY POLITICS Mockus’s unique approach to governance stemmed from his belief that punishment contributed to the cycle of violence and anger amongst the people of Bogotá.

While Mockus was technically the Mayor of Bogota, the way he described himself was a “SpectActor” for the city. A SpectActor is derived from the role of the “Joker” however it was reinterpreted by Augusto Boal as being a neutral party,. The

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spect actor serves the dual role in the theatrical process as both spectator and actor, as they both observe and create dramatic meaning and action.

In our first project we reinterpreted several of these initiatives into a spielgaben, or a boxed gift, for our studio context.

This box contained tools that could be used to create social changes based on initiatives from Mockus’s

time as mayor. As we moved forward with our research of East Harlem, we began to see ourselves as spect actors. Working as both an actor who is bringing organizations together and as a spectator who is observing the effects of those actions, we hope to facilitate an exaggeration of the J.O.Ps existing characteristics in order to improve its relevancy for the neighborhood and its ensure its preservation.

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PRECEDENT RESEARCH

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In order unpack how a park’s governing structure creates different type of play, we selected a range of park precedents that varied in types of activities and scale. The precedents are the United States National Park System, Zuccotti Park in Manhattan, PORT Garden outside of Boston, Elizabeth Street Garden in Manhattan, the Grow to Learn initiative in New York City and Hunts Point Park in the Bronx.

Within each of these we mapped the relationship between the different players (strings at the top) and how that would determine the different type of play (connections to the users in each scene). Private companies investing in public assets, public assets charging the public for use or private assets that are maintained using public dollars. In each of these instances a “public” space is being discussed however these invisible influences

change the way in which that public asset an be used. This manifests as: cost of entry, target demographic, intended usage, environmental responsibility, and the explicit rules. Play happens on these different stages but is defined and controlled by the players. Based on our analysis of these power structures, we concluded that shifts in ownership creates vastly different parks, even if spatially they remained relatively unchanged.

PLAYERS

TYPES OF PUBLIC SPACE

PRECEDENTS

Developer, investor, owner, designer, operator

Recreation, leisure, educational, activism, exploration

United States National Park System, Zuccotti Park in Manhattan, PORT Garden outside of Boston, Elizabeth Street Garden in Manhattan, the Grow to Learn initiative in New York City and Hunts Point Park in the Bronx.

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MAP OF PUBLICLY OWNED SPACE IN MANHATTAN Our research began by thinking about the bureaucratic power dynamics of Marx’s Brothers playground but this quickly led a discovery that the New York City Government is the largest landowner in the City. This map shows the 362.1 million square feet and nearly 5,000 parcels of land and buildings across Manhattan that are owned by the city government.

Thus, the phenomenon of potential private development of publicly owned land is not unique to the Marx Brothers site. The DeBlasio administration has introduced a plan to bring private developments to public housing land. Partnered with the community program NYCHA NextGen Neighborhoods, the city can partner with developers to bring low-income or a mix of market-rate and affordable housing to sites that have been deemed underutilized.

Our proposal takes place on land deemed by the NYC Government as developable. Our strategy is to enhance these spaces with unique interventions, determined through a combination of analyzing issues at the neighborhood scale while utilizing existing community assets. This proposal calls for a shift towards idiosyncratic, site

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specific, development solutions.

Our assertion is that the JOPs are uniquely positioned to become the spatial variable in this community that can begin to address these needs. Being uniquely governed by both the Department of Education and the Parks and Recreation Department, these parks are an opportunity for the city to connect the dots between existing community programing.

We focused our research at scale of East Harlem because of the incredible concentration of government owned land. The map on the following page depicts this concentration as well as how each JOPs sits in an island of city owned land, perfectly positioned to become the flagships or community crossroad for each neighborhood. Currently, this network of parks is a kit of parts, as shown in the bottom map on the following page, that contains the same elements deployed by the NYC Parks and Recreation Department. The ingredients, a basketball court, a baseball field, a handball court, the same jungle gym and a flag pole are repeated. These sites represent equality of play in East Harlem, but, if you read into the particularities of each J.O.Ps

context, the potential of these sites is something far greater.

We used the East Harlem Neighborhood plan as a way to start to understand the goals and desires of the East Harlem Community. The plan was written as a reaction to the proposed re-zoning of East Harlem. The plan outlines the existing challenges faced by community regarding public health, education, affordable housing, senior care and preservation of culture.

The foldout map on the following page shows the myriad of different community organizations, government initiatives, non profits, school groups and much more that makes each site in East Harlem extremely unique. Our ultimate goal is create a network of playgrounds that could each serve the community in different ways. These differences will help to preserve the parks, making them unique community assets.

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EAST HARLEM MAP SHOWING JOPs, CITY OWNED LAND, JOPs AS A KIT OF PARTS

Grades K - 5

Grades 6 - 12 Grades K - 8

Grades K - 5

Grades K - 8

Grades K - 8

Grades K - 8 Grades K - 5

Voctional, post High School

EAST HARLEM MAP SHOWING EXISTING SOCIAL CAPITAL Each JOP exists within City Owned land. We have identified the existing community initiatives that also are housed in government owned buildings. Each will be examined individually in the proceeding pages.

Wagner Houses

P.S. 133 Fred R Moore

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Wagner Houses Farm

Property Type: City Owned Farm Operated by: Harlem Grown Overseen by: Green City Force, NYCHA, Americorps

PS 133 Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Parks Afterschool Program at Pelham Fritz Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Parks Overseen by: NYC Parks Afterschool Program

Wagner Pool

Property Type: City Owned Farm Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

125th Street Library

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: 125th Street Library Overseen by: NYS Education Department

Marcus Garvey Park Free Outdoor Pools Property Type: City Owned Community Park Operated by: NYC Parks Overseen by: NYC Parks

El Barrio's Operation Fight Back

Playground

Property Type: Non-Profit Operated by: El Barrio’s Operation Fight back, Inc Overseen by: The City of New York and State funding

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Eugene McCabe Field

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Wagner Community Center Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

Dream Street Park

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

River East Elementary

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Wagner Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: New York City Department of Education

P.S. 79 Horan School

Property Type: Community Park Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Marcus Garvey Park

PS 112 Jose Celso Barbosa

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Union Settlement Association, Inc. Overseen by: NYC Department of Youth and Community Development

El Faro Beacon Community Center

Property Type: City Owned Community Park Operated by: NYC Parks Overseen by: NYC Parks

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: East Harlem Council for Community Improvement Overseen by: New York City Department of Education

Pss Harlem Neighborhood Senior Center

WIA InSchool Youth - East Harlem Council for Comm. Improvement

Harlem Village Academies

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department for the Aging Overseen by: NYC Department for the Aging

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Harlem Village Academies Overseen by: New York City Department of Education

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

East Harlem Health Center

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Overseen by: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

East Harlem Multi-Service Center

Eng 58, Lad 26

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Fire Department Overseen by: NYC Fire Department

Property Type: Non-Profit Organization Operated by: East Harlem Neighborhood Based Alliance Corporation Overseen by: New York City Department of Youth and Community Development

Harlem Rbi

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Harlem Rbi Overseen by: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

James Weldon Johnson Playground Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

James Weldon Johnson

P.S. 102 Jacques Cartier

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Jefferson

Property Type: Publically Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

Taft

Jefferson Senior Center Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYCHA Overseen by: NYCHA

Property Type: Publicly Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

Dawning Village Too

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Dawning Village Too Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Children's Aid Society Taft ECC Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Children's Aid Society Taft ECC Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Diamante Garden

Taft Houses Summer Lunch Program

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Taft Houses Summer Lunch Prgm Overseen by: NYS Education Department

Success Academy Harlem East Property Type: Public Charter School Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: Success Academy Harlem East

Corsi Houses

P.S. 155 Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

Union Johnson Early Childhood Programs Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Union Johnson Early Childhood Programs Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Our Lady Queen Of Angels

Johnson Houses Community Center

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Our Lady Queen Of Angels Overseen by: NYS Education Department

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center, Inc. Overseen by: NYC Department of Youth and Community Development

Our Lady Queen Of Angels Preschool Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Our Lady Queen Of Angels Overseen by: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Corsi House Senior Center

Johnson

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

P.S. 155 William Paca

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

George Washington Houses Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYCHA Overseen by: NYCHA

Lehman Village Senior Center

P.S. 38 Roberto Clemente

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: The Carter Burden Network Overseen by: New York City Department for the Aging.

Cherry Tree Park

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Peter Minuit Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Child Welfare Organizing Project

El Barrio Museum

Wilson Community Center Property Type: Publicly Owned Operated by: Scan Laguardia House Nursery Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Center Light Healthcare

Property Type: Private Operated by: Child Welfare Organizing Project Inc. Overseen by: Child Welfare Fund Property Type: City Owned Operated by: El Barrio Museum Overseen by: Department of Parks and Recreation.

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Blake Hobbs Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

PSMS 108 School of Authors

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Non-Profit 501(c)(3)

P.S. 146 (Library Media Center)

10 Public Middle School

Wilson Housing

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Clinton Community Center Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYCHA Overseen by: NYCHA

P.S. 146 Ann M Short

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Manhattan 11 Garage

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Sanitation Overseen by: NYC Department of Sanitation

East Harlem Scholars Academy

Property Type: City Owned Charter School Operated by: East Harlem Tutorial Program Overseen by: NY State

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

Success Academy Charter School - Harlem 3

Clinton Houses

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Success Academy Charter School - Harlem 3 Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYCHA Overseen by: NYCHA

Museum of NYC

SCAN Laguardia House Nursery

East River Playground

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Scan Laguardia House Nursery Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

East River Housing

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Department of Cultural Affairs Overseen by: Department of Cultural Affairs

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center Overseen by: Department of Citywide Administrative Services

Lexington Houses Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYCHA Overseen by: NYCHA

PS 72 The Lexington Academy

NYC Soccer Initiative

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Football Club Funded by: Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City

East River Esplanade

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Metropolitan Hosp./ Ems St.10 The Bilingual Bicultural School

Mae Grant Playground Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Parks Overseen by: NYC Parks

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation Overseen by: NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation

Union Settlement Childcare Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Non-Profit 501(c)(3)

Poor Richard's Playground

Stanley M. Isaacs Park

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

P.S. 083 Luis Munoz Rivera

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Union Carver Child Care

Marx Brothers Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Property Type: Non-Profit Operated by: East Harlem Youth Opportunity Hub Overseen by: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Manhattan Childrens Psych Center Metropolitan Hospital Center MMD

Aging Department

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Manhattan Childrens PSych Center Overseen by: NYS Education Department

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Metropolitan Hospital Center (HHC) Overseen by: NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department for the Aging Overseen by: NYC Department for the Aging

Tag Young Scholars School Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Alternative Ed Complex Overseen by: NYS Education Department

Sch Of Coop Tech Ed/Playground Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

East River Houses

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Scan-New York Volunteer Parent-Aides Association, Inc. Overseen by: Scan-New York Volunteer Parent-Aides Association, Inc.

Playground 103 CIII

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Dycd-East River Community Center Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Dycd-East River Community Center Overseen by: NYS Education Department

MOCKUS’S SOCIAL INITIATIVES APPLIED TO EAST HARLEM

Using our methodology of increasing the social capital of the J.O.P.s, we propose a set of tools for each, which will help to facilitate cross programing of the space as well as exaggerate the existing characteristics. This low, to no cost intervention sets up a feedback loop which, if successful, results in furthering the idiosyncrasies of each site.

MOORE PLAYGROUND

WINTER SQUASH PICKING WITH HARLEM GROWN

PUMPKIN PICKING WITH HARLEM GROWN

ZUCCHINI PICKING

EUGENE MCCABE

WITH HARLEM GROWN

TOMATO PICKING WITH HARLEM GROWN

TJ

+ TT W

LY N I GH T

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JW

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+

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WAGNER PLAYGROUND

N ENS O

JAMES WELDON JOHNSON

P.S. 155 PLAYGROUND

FOR JOIN US

JOIN US FOR

JOIN US FOR FAMILY FAMILY GFAMILY READIN READING HOUR!READING HOUR! R RIVE EAST AT THE EAST RIVER PARKAT THE HOUR! READING READING PARK noon, AT THE EAST RIVER 11am to 11am to noon, y May 11th Saturda May 11th PARK READING Saturday family! friends and Bring your your Bring newand family!

11am tofriends noon, 146’s P.S.Saturday Maythe 11th sored by

r and by P.S. 146’s new Spon Sponsored Bring your friends and family!

Media Cente r Center and the Cente Library Media Library unity Sponsored

by P.S.Center 146’s new Wilson Comm Wilson Community Library Media Center and the Wilson Community Center

PETER MINUIT SKILL:

SKILL:

WIRING

CARPENTRY

EAST RIVER PLAYGROUND

SKILL:

PV INSTALL SKILL:

WIRING

SKILL:

WELDING

SKILL:

PLUMBING

MARX BROTHERS

POOR RICHARDS

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MARX BROTHERS PLAYGROUND

MARX BROTHERS J.O.P.

The Marx Brothers site is the southernmost Joint Operated Playground and sits at the intersection of East Harlem and the Upper East Side. The Marx Brothers Playground is at risk because the Developer Avalon Bay Communities has proposed a 700 ft. tower the full-block between First and Second Avenue, and has the support of the city administration. This proposal is representative of the inevitable density and gentrification that is 14

coming to East Harlem. Knowing this this type of development is coming, for each site we have identified community organization, government entities, and cultural institutions that could be partnered with to create a new type of development that is specific to each site and to try to maintain a sense of place. The Marx brother’s site is unique in that it is paired with a coop technical school that prepares students for varying technical jobs.

There are a lot of medical facilities

and other businesses that could be connected with the co-op school to help students get J.O.Ps. The Marx Brothers joint operated playground can be a unifier for these existing programs on the site to create a new programs for employment opportunities that benefit the community be providing ways of gaining economic mobility.

George Washington Houses Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYCHA Overseen by: NYCHA

P.S. 38 Roberto Clemente Cherry Tree Park

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Blake Hobbs Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Center Light Healthcare Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Non-Profit 501(c)(3)

Manhattan 11 Garage

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Sanitation Overseen by: NYC Department of Sanitation

Success Academy Charter School - Harlem 3 Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Success Academy Charter School - Harlem 3 Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Lexington Houses Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYCHA Overseen by: NYCHA

Metropolitan Hosp./ Ems St.10

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation Overseen by: NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation

Union Settlement Childcare Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Non-Profit 501(c)(3)

Stanley M. Isaacs Park Marx Brothers Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Manhattan Childrens Psych Center Metropolitan Hospital Center MMD

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Manhattan Childrens PSych Center Overseen by: NYS Education Department

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Metropolitan Hospital Center (HHC) Overseen by: NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

Sch Of Coop Tech Ed/Playground Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

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MARX BROTHERS PLAYGROUND

SKILL:

SKILL:

WIRING

RADIOLOGY SKILL:

PV INSTALL SKILL:

PHARMACY AIDE

Within vocational training, healthcare has become a very popular track because of the necessity of healthcare workers but also because of the training required. Popular health care training programs include certified nursing assistant, dental aide, physical therapy aide, administrative medical aide, radiology aide, or pharmacy aide. Training in these fields of work allows for an immediate career, opportunities for career growth, or a foundation 16

SKILL:

WIRING SKILL:

DENTAL AIDE

for further education at a college or university. On the site of the Marx Brother’s Jointly Operated Playground, we propose that an annual job fair be held that can bring together the students at Co-Op Tech with all of the medical organizations that are adjacent to the site such as Center Light Healthcare, Manhattan Children’s Psych Center and the Metropolitan Hospital. The Jointly Operated Playground can become a place where the healthcare professions

and the students can interact exposing students to different medical organization in the area.

Additionally, the career fair gives the Jointly Operated Playground a new relevance to both the vocational school as well as the medical organizations.

EUGENE MCCABE FIELD

EUGENE MCCABE J.O.P.

Moving to one of the more northern Joint Operated Playgrounds, the Eugene McCabe field is paired with a school and adjacent to another park. This park breaks the border between East Harlem and Harlem. Unlike many of the other J.O.P.s, this park is not adjacent to a lot of government owned land, and there are no New York City Housing Authority sites nearly. The field is unique in that it is paired with the P.S. 79 Horan School. The 18

school, which serves 250 students age 7-12, has a student body that consists of learners with autism, intellectual disabilities, or multiple challenges. This is the only school in East Harlem that serves this type of student. The J.O.P. itself is typical of nearly every other J.O.P. that we visited and studied with a large soccer and baseball field, a playground and a handball court branded with the NYC Parks Department Logo. The only other publicly owned land adjacent to this

park and school is the large and well used Marcus Garvey Park. This larger park has swimming pools, after school programs, walking trails, a senior center, playgrounds, leisure spaces, and a large hill. This unique school and the recreational park next door could become a connected space to encourage students to more outdoor activities and encourage communication between the students.

Parks Afterschool Program at Pelham Fritz Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Parks Overseen by: NYC Parks Afterschool Program

Marcus Garvey Park Free Outdoor Pools Property Type: City Owned Community Park Operated by: NYC Parks Overseen by: NYC Parks

Eugene McCabe Field

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

P.S. 79 Horan School

Property Type: Community Park Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Marcus Garvey Park

Property Type: City Owned Community Park Operated by: NYC Parks Overseen by: NYC Parks

Pss Harlem Neighborhood Senior Center Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department for the Aging Overseen by: NYC Department for the Aging

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EUGENE MCCABE FIELD

The unique elements around the Eugene McCabe Field are the Marcus Garvey Park and the P.S. 79 Horan School which serves a student body that consists of learners with autism, intellectual disabilities, or multiple challenges.

Using our new methodology of adding urban interventions at increasing scales to emphasize and integrate the existing community assets and cultural institutions, we have addressed only the first scale of intervention on this site.

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This first scale of intervention is communication cards, inspired by the “citizen’s cards� which had a thumbs up image on side to flash at courteous drivers, and a thumbs down on the other to express disapproval. This political intervention in Bogota is translated to communicative tools for students in East Harlem. This no budget-small intervention of positive and negative cards gives a new simplified communication tool to the students and the community

to solidify connections between the school, the Jointly Operated Playground and the nearby park so that this connection is a necessity for larger scale interventions.

JAMES WELDON JOHNSON PLAYGROUND

JAMES WELDON JOHNSON J.O.P.

The James Weldon Johnson J.O.P. sits in the center of the largest continuous NYC Housing Authority’s public housing sites.

These four different housing sites: the Thomas Jefferson Houses, the James Weldon Johnson Houses, the Taft Towers, and the King towers span the entirety of East Harlem and cross over into Harlem. They have a troubled history of violence between different communities in the different houses, making this site the most dangerous of the 9 22

sites we looked at. Because of this conflict, there have many major renovations to the community center, and other funding to improve the conditions of these sites. Looking past the concerns of this site, there are many existing community assets that we have outlined in this diagram including children’s aid programs, mental health facilities, food programs, early childhood programs, the community center, senior center, schools, and health centers. These

many existing assets could be connected and improved to make a thriving community, but the New York City Housing Authority has a system of closing off different housing blocks, isolating people to their specific areas, and fencing off any residual usable open space. This has created a culture of putting up literal walls between different communities which has resulted in conflict and violence.

East Harlem Health Center

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Overseen by: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Eng 58, Lad 26

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Fire Department Overseen by: NYC Fire Department

Harlem Rbi

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Harlem Rbi Overseen by: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

James Weldon Johnson Playground Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

James Weldon Johnson

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

P.S. 102 Jacques Cartier

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Jefferson

Property Type: Publically Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

Taft

Jefferson Senior Center Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYCHA Overseen by: NYCHA

Property Type: Publicly Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

Dawning Village Too

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Dawning Village Too Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Children's Aid Society Taft ECC Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Children's Aid Society Taft ECC Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Taft Houses Summer Lunch Program Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Taft Houses Summer Lunch Prgm Overseen by: NYS Education Department

Success Academy Harlem East Property Type: Public Charter School Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: Success Academy Harlem East

Union Johnson Early Childhood Programs Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Union Johnson Early Childhood Programs Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Johnson Houses Community Center

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center, Inc. Overseen by: NYC Department of Youth and Community Development

Our Lady Queen Of Angels Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Our Lady Queen Of Angels Overseen by: NYS Education Department

Our Lady Queen Of Angels Preschool Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Our Lady Queen Of Angels Overseen by: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Johnson

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

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JAMES WELDON JOHNSON

W

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“Night for Women” that asked the city’s men to stay home in the evening and care for the children.

700,000 women went out on the first of three nights that Mockus dedicated to them. Our event takes cues from Mockus’s and is a party for only the women of the three disparate housing projects.

This makes a safe space for the women who might be thwarted from enjoyment by gang violence in the area, and encourages relationships to develop between

N LY T NI G H

TJ

+ TT

In effort to reduce the issues between the Thomas Jefferson Houses, the James Weldon Johnson Houses, the Taft Towers, our first smallest scale intervention is an event with the intension of connecting the people of these housing sites to diminish the violence in this site and allow the latent community benefits to be used by multiple communities.

This event is inspired by Antanas Mockus’s effort to help women to feel safe in Bogota with a

O U T!

+ JW

OM

ENS O

historically violent communities.

This connection can start to build the framework for development that necessitates community engagement and connection across different sites.

MOORE PLAYGROUND

MOORE J.O.P.

The smallest of the J.O.P.s in East Harlem, the Moore Playground is adjacent to an elementary school as well as another playground across the street. The elementary school, PS 133 Fred R. Moore also offers free Pre-K and 3-K, as a part of Mayor DeBlasio’s campaign promise 3-K for all. The playground across the street is the Courtney Callender Playground that features basketball courts, handball courts, playground and spay showers for the summer time. There is 26

also a vacant lot across from the school that is owned by the city and is currently being used as a parking lot for the neighborhood.

The housing stock is much less dense surrounding this J.O.P., being mostly comprised of two to three story buildings. However, the J.O.P. is located two blocks south of another large NYCHA housing project, Lincoln Towers.

This J.O.P. presents an interesting opportunity to focus on the J.O.P. collaboration with the Department

of Education and the role that the space could play in early childhood development.

P.S. 133 Fred R Moore

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

PS 133 Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

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MOORE PLAYGROUND

The Moore Playground is uniquely positioned for the New York City Department of Education to begin using the idea of childhood development schemas within its 3-K, Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. The theory of childhood schemas is that children learn through repeating and activity over and over again. The importance of schemas in children’s self-initiated and spontaneous play has become a valued and embedded part of early childhood practice. These repeated 28

actions can be categorized into nine general categories, trajectory, positioning, enveloping, rotating, enclosing, transporting, connecting, transforming and orienting. Each schema also has a certain set of objects and tools that help to facilitate the child in while they are in each of these phases.

With the introduction of these simple objects, such as baskets for the “transporting” schema, the current playground with standard play equipment, basketball

courts and handball courts, can be transformed into a fascinating learning environment for the both the younger students as well as the teachers who observe them.

POOR RICHARDS PLAYGROUND

POOR RICHARDS J.O.P.

The Poor Richards J.O.P. is located adjacent to the TAG Young Scholars School. The “TAG” school, whose acronym stands for “Talented and Gifted”, is a magnetic public school in that serves East Harlem students from grades from kindergarten through eighth grade. The test results and placement of the students into top high schools in New York City is one considered to of the best in the area, however the facilities and grounds are of a much lower quality when compared 30

with the other TAG schools in Manhattan. This is because the other TAG schools are often supported by private donations, and the majority of students are in a much higher income bracket than the students at TAG Young Scholars. Across the street there is another high performing school, PS. 083 Luis Munoz Rivera which also houses the Bilingual Bicultural School. This school recently received a brand new soccer field from the NYC Soccer Initiative

which is partially funded by the Mayors Fund to Advance New York City. In partnership with the New York City Football Club, the NYC Soccer Initiative has opened twenty new soccer pitches around the five boroughs.

NYC Soccer Initiative

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Football Club Funded by: Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City

The Bilingual Bicultural School Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Poor Richard's Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

P.S. 083 Luis Munoz Rivera

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Tag Young Scholars School Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Alternative Ed Complex Overseen by: NYS Education Department

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POOR RICHARDS PLAYGROUND

The NYC Soccer Initiative has pledged to build and maintain the new soccer pitches for the next five years. In addition, they will be providing free programing for children that is focused on healthy eating habits, active living and mentoring programs such as soccer clinics, festivals, youth summits, and night leagues to promote safe, active, and connected communities. This will also include a partnership with the City’s Young Men’s Initiative, providing young 32

men of color with mentorship opportunities. The new pitch has created an opportunity to create a distinctive characteristic for the existing playground. Over the next five years, we proposed that the soccer pitch become connected with the existing J.O.P. across the street. Perhaps as a practice area to start and eventually as a field itself, our proposal is to connect the TAG school with New York Soccer Initiative across the street. This shared interest between the two

schools would create some healthy competition or a friendly rivalry between the two high performing middle schools. In addition, it would promote a revitalization and reuse of the J.O.P. as a part of the two school’s identities.

EAST RIVER PLAYGROUND

EAST RIVER J.O.P.

Located along the East River Esplanade, the East River J.O.P. has views across to Randall’s Island.

It is located two blocks north of the Ward’s Island Bridge and on the northern boundary of the East River Houses and the Wilson Houses, both NYCHA projects.

The P.S. 146 Anna M. Short School uses the J.O.P. during their school recess and houses 384 students from grades pre-k through 5th. The PS. M169 Robert Kennedy School Middle school is directly adjacent.

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In addition, one block is a private nursery school and a community center housed in the NYCHA buildings. This grouping of New York City Government owned land along the East River has a concentration of facilities dedicated to early childhood. In particular, the PS146 Library Media Center is a small branch of the New York City Public Library located within the school. The library program at P.S. 146 aims to encourage students’ cognitive, creative and social

growth so that all of the students can meet standards of excellence.

The program gives students the opportunity to access a variety of resources for information from varied perspectives, to judge the value and validity of that information and to know when and with whom to share that information.

Wilson Community Center Property Type: Publicly Owned Operated by: Scan Laguardia House Nursery Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

P.S. 146 (Library Media Center) Wilson Housing

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

P.S. 146 Ann M Short

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

SCAN Laguardia House Nursery

East River Playground

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Scan Laguardia House Nursery Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

East River Housing

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

East River Esplanade

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

East River Houses

Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Scan-New York Volunteer Parent-Aides Association, Inc. Overseen by: Scan-New York Volunteer Parent-Aides Association, Inc.

Playground 103 CIII

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Dycd-East River Community Center Property Type: Privately Owned Operated by: Dycd-East River Community Center Overseen by: NYS Education Department

EAST RIVER PLAYGROUND

FOR JOIN US

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11am noon, ’sfriends 4 1 6to P.S.Saturday e May 11th d th sored by

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Media Ce Bring r a Cent tefriends n e er and the C Library y Medi ry it Libra ommun Sponsored ernew ity by P.S.Cent 146’s Wilson C mun Com Wilson Library Media Center and the Wilson Community Center

The Library Media Center at the Anna M. Short School is an opportunity to collaborate between the nursery, community center, lower school and middle school located in the immediate city block. The library program states is mission statement as “We believe that each child can be educated to the fullest of his or her ability to become selfmotivated life-long learners who use information efficiently. We believe students can achieve this 36

goal through participation in our effective library program, which incorporates collaboration between the library media specialist, teachers, students, parents and the community.” It is this spirit that we hope to capitalize on to rejuvenate the Jointly Operated Playground. With its beautiful river views, we propose that an outdoor reading day be organized on the J.O.P. that would bring together the community center in the NYCHA towers, the middle

school, the nursery and the Library Media Center at Anna M. Short School. This would promote the cross pollination on the site, giving it relevance to members of the community of all ages.

P.S. 155 PLAYGROUND

PS 155 J.O.P.

The PS 155 Playground is located in a small section of city owned land in-between first and second avenues along 117th street. The J.O.P. is used by the adjacent public school, PS 155 William Paca.

Across the street from the School is a single NYCHA housing tower with a NYCHA sponsored senior center on the ground floor. Above the senior center is a planted roof but the only access is through the fire stair of the senior center.

This NYCHA project is unusual 38

for East Harlem because it is a single tower in an urban context.

The NYCHA projects in East Harlem are predominately large complexes made up of several towers of the same layout. This unique project is called the Corsi Houses and is home to many senior residents because of its adjacency to a senior center.

Another government owned asset is a community garden directly behind the William Paca School.

The garden, Diamante Garden,

is community run and organized.

These three organizations, William Paca School, Corsi Houses Senior Center and the Diamante Garden, exist within the same block but have no overlapping programing.

Our interventions seek to remedy this disconnect through activities, architectural changes and, lastly, through the densification of the site.

Diamante Garden

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Corsi Houses

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

P.S. 155 Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Corsi House Senior Center

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

P.S. 155 William Paca

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

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P.S. 155 PLAYGROUND

The Corsi Senior Center currently promotes self-reliance and independent living through group meals, volunteer opportunities, nutrition education, telephone reassurance, excursions, education, recreation and friendly visits. If these offerings were expanded to include cross programing with the William Paca School, we believe both organizations would benefit. For example, the seniors at Corsi House could use the JOP for their recreational activities.

40

Additionally the students at William Paca could benefit from learning from the different perspectives of elders who are not their parents or teachers. In addition to the added activities where the senior center would utilize the JOP, we also propose and event where all of the seniors and all of the children use the J.O.P. together.

The seniors are provided hats with pinwheels, the children are given large, old fashioned glasses.

While it is important for each

organization to use the JOP for their own activities, we believe that through simultaneous usage, stronger connections and more opportunities will develop.

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P.S. 155 PLAYGROUND

EXISTING ASSETS: Three organizations, the senior center, the school and the community garden are shown with the existing ground conditions that divide them. The school parking lot divides the community garden from the JOP. The auditorium of the school also intersects the garden, isolating it to 118th street. The parking lot of the senior center faces the school but the main entrance is on the other side of the building, along 116th street.

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P.S. 155 PLAYGROUND

SMALL INTERVENTION: PLAYGROUND ON ROOF For the first level of intervention we propose adding a painted street mural that would connect the parking lot of the senior center with the J.O.P. Additionally, a slide and playground equipment have been added to the green roof of the senior center. This will activate the space in between the senior center and the J.O.P., encouraging the senior citizens to use the J.O.P. and the kids to have recess at the senior center.

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P.S. 155 PLAYGROUND

MEDIUM INTERVENTION: PASSAGE UNDER AUDITORIUM This intervention integrates the community garden with the school and the senior center. By creating a passageway under the auditorium of the school and eliminating the parking lot, the garden is now accessible from the school cafeteria, from the senior center and from the J.O.P. The passageway also allows for the completion of the walking loop that connects the J.O.P. and the senior center.

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P.S. 155 PLAYGROUND

LARGE INTERVENTION: NEW REC CENTER AND HOUSING TOWER This intervention acknowledges that densification is a part of urban life. However, it also understands that homogenization is not. Therefore, in the process of trading the J.O.P.’s air rights to the developer, the community (in tandem with the city) negotiated that the new housing tower had to include a facility that would benefit all of the existing organizations that use the J.O.P. Thus, in accordance

48

with the neighborhood’s requests, a rec center with a pool and rooftop garden is developed, furthering the characteristics of the site and continuing to serve the school and senior center who use it.

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WAGNER PLAYGROUND

WAGNER J.O.P.

The Wagner Playground has a huge amount of existing community organizations adjacent to the site. Just north of the J.O.P. are the Wagner Houses, a large scale NYCHA housing project which stretches across two city blocks and borders the East River. Next to the J.O.P is the Harlem Village Academy as well the El Faro Beacon Community Center. The community center has a large presence in the neighborhood, organizing many events such as a 52

basketball league and salsa dancing, in addition to services to the Coalition for the Homeless and hosting the East Harlem Council for Community Improvement.

The J.O.P. is currently used by the community center, the school as well as other sports leagues such as the Harlem Jets (Football League) and the Harlem Baseball Little League. Additionally, within the Wagner Towers, there is an urban farm started by Harlem Grown.

The vegetable garden, called the

Wagner Houses Farm, is sponsored by the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP) as well as the Fund for Public Health NYC, Building Healthy Communities and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. All of these organizations have a vested interest in the immediately adjacent J.O.P.

Wagner Houses

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

Wagner Houses Farm

Property Type: City Owned Farm Operated by: Harlem Grown Overseen by: Green City Force, NYCHA, Americorps

Wagner Pool 125th Street Library

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: 125th Street Library Overseen by: NYS Education Department

Property Type: City Owned Farm Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

El Barrio's Operation Fight Back Property Type: Non-Profit Operated by: El Barrio’s Operation Fight back, Inc Overseen by: The City of New York and State funding

Wagner Community Center Dream Street Park

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

River East Elementary

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Wagner Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: New York City Department of Education

El Faro Beacon Community Center

PS 112 Jose Celso Barbosa

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Union Settlement Association, Inc. Overseen by: NYC Department of Youth and Community Development

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: East Harlem Council for Community Improvement Overseen by: New York City Department of Education

Harlem Village Academies

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Harlem Village Academies Overseen by: New York City Department of Education

WIA InSchool Youth - East Harlem Council for Comm. Improvement Property Type: City Owned Operated by: New York City Housing Authority Overseen by: New York City Housing Authority

East Harlem Multi-Service Center

Property Type: Non-Profit Organization Operated by: East Harlem Neighborhood Based Alliance Corporation Overseen by: New York City Department of Youth and Community Development

WAGNER PLAYGROUND

WINTER SQUASH PICKING WITH HARLEM GROWN

PUMPKIN PICKING WITH HARLEM GROWN

ZUCCHINI PICKING WITH HARLEM GROWN

TOMATO PICKING WITH HARLEM GROWN

The organizations we have chosen to focus on are the Wagner Farms and the El Faro Beacon Community Center. By engaging these two organizations with the J.O.P. we believe it will transform the space beyond simply a recreational facility for the school and other sports leagues. Wagner Farms currently sits in the center of the housing block with no street frontage. The J.O.P. sits in a crucial position inbetween the community center and the vegetable garden. As a first step 54

in engaging these two organizations, we propose the simple exchange of having the community center fly flags with the seasonal crops from the farm along 120th street.

This would increase awareness about the farming project as well as create an informal passageway through the J.O.P. By connecting the community center and the Wagner farms, there could also be cross programing that could occur on the J.O.P. such as pumpkin picking, nutrition classes

or class room field trips. These two organizations are perfectly positioned to enhance one other and create a space on the J.O.P. which is unique for East Harlem while still serving the needs of its residents.

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WAGNER PLAYGROUND

EXISTING ASSETS: The existing ground condition segments each organization into a prescribed area, while also leaving a huge portion of the ground unused. The orientation of the baseball fence isolates the J.O.P from the housing towers as well as the community center. Additionally, the solid wall in-between the community center and the J.O.P. discourages cross programing and informal usage

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WAGNER PLAYGROUND

SMALL INTERVENTION: WALL AND PATHWAY The first intervention creates a path along the J.O.P and addresses the orientation of the baseball field. By turning around the field, the area is able to open up and connect to the Wagner Farms beyond. Additionally we propose that the wall of the basketball court be converted into a curtain wall with glass doors which open onto the J.O.P. Lastly, additional vegetable patches have been added into the space that was opened up by the reorientation of the baseball field.

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WAGNER PLAYGROUND

MEDIUM INTERVENTION: GREENHOUSES AND FARMERS MARKET In this intervention, green houses have been added on the roof of the school as well as in the open space surrounding the housing towers. These green houses are run by Wagner Farms and allow for them to expand their harvest into the winter months. Additionally, the J.O.P. now hosts a weekly farmers market run by both the Community Center and Wagner Farms.

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WAGNER PLAYGROUND

LARGE INTERVENTION: NEW GROCERY STORE AND HOUSING TOWER The last intervention anticipates development, but requires that the new housing tower minimize its shadow plane on the existing vegetable patches, create new green houses on its roof, and house an indoor market for the produce to be sold. Therefore, the new housing tower further contributes to the unique personality of the block.

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PETER MINUIT PLAYGROUND

PETER MINUIT J.O.P.

The Peter Minuit Playground is located one block east of Central Park, at the northern part of Museum Mile. There are several large cultural centers and museums located along 5th and Park Ave whose purpose is to preserve and contribute to the Latin American heritage of East Harlem.

In particular, the Julia de Burgos Performance & Arts Center which is located two blocks south of the J.O.P. is a Latino artistic, cultural, educational and civic space that 66

seeks to promote and enhance the quality of life in East Harlem through exhibits, performances, film screenings, special events and community engagements.

In addition, the Julia de Burgos Performance & Arts Center houses musical groups such as Los Pleneros de la 21, an exceptional mix of Puerto Rican Folk Masters and professional musicians, who state that their common cause is to expose the importance of traditional Puerto Rican music.

Lastly, El Musueo, located on 5th Ave, is the leading Latino cultural institution in New York, with a wide range of opportunities including collections and exhibitions, film, literary, visual and performing arts series, cultural celebrations, and educational programs.

These incredible community organizations are located within blocks of the Peter Minuit J.O.P., creating an opportunity for the J.O.P. to transform into a cultural performance destination.

Lehman Village Senior Center

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: The Carter Burden Network Overseen by: New York City Department for the Aging.

Peter Minuit Playground

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

PSMS 108 School of Authors

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Child Welfare Organizing Project Property Type: Private Operated by: Child Welfare Organizing Project Inc. Overseen by: Child Welfare Fund

El Barrio Museum

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: El Barrio Museum Overseen by: Department of Parks and Recreation.

10 Public Middle School

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Clinton Community Center Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYCHA Overseen by: NYCHA

East Harlem Scholars Academy

Property Type: City Owned Charter School Operated by: East Harlem Tutorial Program Overseen by: NY State

Clinton Houses

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYCHA Overseen by: NYCHA

Museum of NYC

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Department of Cultural Affairs Overseen by: Department of Cultural Affairs

Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center Property Type: City Owned Operated by: Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center Overseen by: Department of Citywide Administrative Services

PS 72 The Lexington Academy Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department of Education Overseen by: NYC Department of Education

Mae Grant Playground Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Parks Overseen by: NYC Parks

Union Carver Child Care

Property Type: Non-Profit Operated by: East Harlem Youth Opportunity Hub Overseen by: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office

Aging Department

Property Type: City Owned Operated by: NYC Department for the Aging Overseen by: NYC Department for the Aging

PETER MINUIT PLAYGROUND

The first intervention at the Peter Minuit Playground is the introduction of a megaphone and a small movable stage. These two tools will start to perpetuate the atmosphere of performance in the Jointly Operated Playground The playground is perfectly positioned to become the center for outdoor performance in East Harlem. The megaphone and movable stage are the first step in creating a culture of expression and performance within the park 68

itself. The students will be able to have impromptu performances as well as the neighbors and adjacent community center. An attitude of expression and unification through cultural preservation is especially important in East Harlem as cost of living rises and people and local businesses are forced to relocate. The Peter Minuit Playground should be the place of collaboration between the Department of Education, Department of Parks and

Recreation as well as the various adjacent Cultural Institutions in an effort to create a space as unique and expressive as the community it serves.

PETER MINUIT PLAYGROUND

EXISTING ASSETS: The existing site is dominated by a large above ground train line that runs alongside the east side of the site. The surrounding housing towers are very separate from the space, with their own playgrounds at the base of them. The school faces inwards towards a central courtyard, there is no entry or exit along the side of the J.O.P.

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PETER MINUIT PLAYGROUND

SMALL INTERVENTION: STAGE AND PROJECTOR The first intervention would be to remove the unused handball courts and add a stage and projector on to the stone wall of the raised train line. This embraces the idiosyncrasy of the site and creates an opportunity for the surrounding cultural institution to use the J.O.P. for some of their events.

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PETER MINUIT PLAYGROUND

MEDIUM INTERVENTION: ROOFTOP VIEWING PLATFORMS The next phase would be to add an additional projector onto the wall of the school as well as an exterior stair with stages and view platforms from the roof. These roof top viewing parties would also be added to the surrounding NYCHA housing towers, thereby expanding the influence of the J.O.P. beyond its physical borders.

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PETER MINUIT PLAYGROUND

LARGE INTERVENTION: NEW PERFORMING CENTER AND HOUSING TOWERS The final phase would be the addition of two housing towers inbetween the existing towers on the north and south sides of the J.O.P. These new developments would be required to have viewing platforms with public access both on the roof and at the mid-point of the building, The ground floor of the new towers would be performance and practice spaces.

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IN CONCLUSION The thoughts and designs presented in this book are intended to be a preliminary proposal for the potential of the Jointly Operated Playground Network in New York. It is our hope that this book presents a clear path or guidebook for a more community centric, idiosyncratic, and playful approach to the development and densification of urban centers. We believe that because the Jointly Operated Playgrounds are governed by both the Department of Education and the Parks and Recreation Department, they present a unique opportunity for the city to embrace the idea of cooperative spaces and use it to enhance existing community organizations and attributes.

We are responsible for the research and ideas described in this book. No reproductions can be made without the consent of Phoebe Harris and Kelley Johnson.

We would like to thank the East Harlem Neighborhood Plan for their meticulous documentation of community meetings and workshops aimed at creating an East Harlem that would be reflective of the community member’s values. Additionally, we would like to thank Ray and Robert from El Faro Beacon Community Center for insisting that we partake in a salsa class when visiting East Harlem.

Project by Phoebe Harris and Kelley Johnson

Credits Created as a part of the “City Lampooned” M.Arch I, Fourth Semester Urban Studio

Yale School of Architecture Spring 2019

Studio Critic: Bimal Mendis Studio TA: Miguel Sanchez-Enkerlin

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