Table 2 Comparison of existing (Baseline/Control) and renovated (Intervention) features
Physical Elements | |
Existing | Renovated |
• Out of date sports courts with cracked pavement and missing features | • Refurbished and reconstructed basketball, handball, tennis and other courts, including regulation sizes |
• Asphalted play areas | • Synthetic turf conversions and multi-purpose fields |
• Old-fashioned spray showers and mini pools | • Contemporary water feature elements |
• Play equipment dating from 1960s–1990s | • Playground equipment meeting current safety and design standards, including ADA |
• No or closed comfort station | • Refurbished or new construction comfort station meeting ADA standards |
• Poorly configured benches and picnic tables in need of repair | • New tables, i.e. for chess, picnics; new benches and seating for passive recreation |
• Minimal and unplanted horticultural beds and trees | • Increased plantings and horticulture |
|  | • Adult fitness equipment |
|  | • Performance and community event spaces |
|  | • Skate park features |
|  | • Green infrastructure components, i.e. rain gardens, bioswales, subsurface retention systems, permeable surfaces |
|  | • Lower, more welcoming fences |
|  | • New lighting fixtures |
Programming and Outreach Elements | |
Existing | Renovated |
• Citywide and Borough-organized recreational programming | • Dedicated 6-month Playground Associates staffing all-day programs at capital renovation sites • Enhanced free adult fitness classes at sites • New partner programs, i.e. mobile library, running or bike classes, movie van |
• Minimal or no direct community engagement specific to capital program sites | • Expanded outreach and community engagement staff dedicated to program neighborhoods |
• Limited stakeholder engagement in capital process | • Held public scoping meetings to gather input on design program and park use with more than 1,100 attendees across 30+ sites |