June 21, 2022

Green Infrastructure will capture approximately 2.5 million gallons of stormwater annually, reducing neighborhood flooding and improving the health of the Bronx River; Photos available on DEP’s Flickr Page

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) joined Tuesday with The Trust for Public Land and the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation to open a newly renovated “Green” schoolyard at PS 107X/Icahn 7 Charter in the Soundview section of the Bronx. Green infrastructure elements incorporated in the playground’s construction will capture approximately 2.5 million gallons of stormwater each year, helping to improve the health of the Bronx River and reduce the risk of flooding for residents and businesses in the area. The schoolyard was funded, in part, with $950,000 from DEP’s Green Infrastructure program.

“This beautiful playground will provide a fun and safe space for students and the neighborhood to recreate, while the newly added Green Infrastructure will absorb the stormwater that falls on it, helping to reduce neighborhood flooding and improve the health of the nearby Bronx River,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “I want to thank the school community, Trust for Public Land, and the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation for their partnership on another successful project!”

“Every kid needs a great place to get outside and play. Equitable access to park space is critical for mental and physical health, and this new community schoolyard at P.S. 107x will provide not only that but will reduce extreme flooding risk for the surrounding neighborhood,” said Carter Strickland, VP Mid-Atlantic and New York State Director for Trust for Public Land. “We’re excited to bring this new revitalized green space to give thousands of Bronx residents more opportunities to play, exercise, and learn outdoors.”

The space includes an outdoor classroom, raised garden beds built by YouthBuild, basketball courts, a turf field, running track, permeable pavers, play equipment, fitness equipment, game tables, benches, color seal art, recycling center, drinking fountain, and green roof gazebo. The basketball courts were designed by New York-based artist Andre Trenier, whose work is showcased in collections around the world.

The schoolyard will be open to the community during non-school hours and will serve nearly 15,000 residents (including 4,492 children) living within a 10-minute walking distance.

This playground is made possible through a partnership with DEP, NYC Department of Education and NYC School Construction Authority, with funding support from the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and the Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF).

“The Bronx has so much to offer and so much potential. We’re excited to invest in the Soundview community through this beautiful and environmentally conscious playground,” said Jose Mena, Director for the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation.

For nearly 25 years, Trust for Public Land has guided thousands of students and parents in school districts from coast to coast to make the most of their schoolyards. The Trust for Public Land has transformed more than 250 underused schoolyards nationwide into nature-rich parks designed to address inequities in education, health, and climate impacts. Every one of our green schoolyard transformations includes agreements between a school district and other local agencies to allow the community to use the space when school is closed.

According to research from Trust for Public Land, open access to all public schoolyards during non-school hours would put a park within a 10-minute walk of more than 19.6 million people, including 5.2 million children, who currently lack access.

About the New York City Department of Environmental Protection

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.8 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

About Trust for Public Land

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 3 million acres of public land, created more than 5,000 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $84 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected more than 9 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.

About KDCF

Since its founding 2013, the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation’s (KDCF) mission has been to enrich the lives of at-risk youth from low-income backgrounds through educational, athletic and social programs. KDCF has developed direct programs and initiatives to support youth across the US, in Kevin Durant’s hometown, and internationally. The four program pillars of the foundation are: The Durant Center, which currently houses the College Track program serving 230+ students; Build It and They Will Ball, our global basketball court renovation initiative; Team Durant AAU, with 17 Boys and Girls youth basketball teams focused on developing well-rounded student athletes; and Emergency Relief Fund, strategic grantmaking in response to natural disasters and large scale emergencies.