Ribbon Cutting at Waring Playground

Ribbon Cutting at Waring Playground

By Robert Press

It was a warm spring afternoon at Bronx Park East and Waring Avenue along the Bronx River Parkway, for the Ribbon cutting of the newly reconstructed Waring Playground. This was the first park ribbon cutting for new NYC Parks Commissioner Susan Donahue, and also for new Bronx Borough President Vanesa Gibson. $3.6 million dollars went into the project of then City Councilman Ritchie Torres, then Mayor Bill de Blasio, and then Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. Students from nearby PS 96 who may use the new playground were also on hand to help celebrate the ribbon cutting. 

Parks Commissioner Donahue spoke first describing the different amenities of the playground, and saying that this was her first ribbon cutting at a NYC park. Congressman Ritchie Torres spoke next on how he as a city councilman collaborated with the community to find out what they wanted to see in their neighborhood park. Bronx Borough President Vanesa Gibson also said this was her first Park ribbon cutting he thanked then Bronx Parks commissioner, now Deputy NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, and local Bronx Park East Community members. BP Gibson added that this playground is for the children such as those from nearby PS 96. Others who spoke included Community Board 11 Chair Al D’Angelo, BPECA members Diana Finch and Ralph Switzer, and last but not least former Bronx Park Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa now citywide Deputy Parks Commissioner who said that she is still a Bronx girl, even though she may be working downtown. 

New York City Parks Commissioner Susan  Donahue welcomed everyone to the ribbon cutting of the new Waring Playground.