Bed-Stuy Raises $10K For Community Haven At Jackie Robinson Park

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — A campaign to turn Jackie Robinson Park Playground into a haven for the neighborhood amid escalating gun violence has surpassed its goal, according to organizers.

The fundraiser, launched earlier this year by a coalition of neighbors, has brought in more than $11,000 for a series of programs meant to transform the park into a community space this summer. The fundraiser was launched with a $10,000 goal.

“This initiative, funded by the community, means Jackie Robinson can be a place where young people build life skills they can use both on and off the court,” Coach Frances Ferdinand, one of the leaders of the fundraiser said this week.

The vision for Jackie Robinson Park Playground includes funding Ferdinand's HQ Tennis to run youth tennis programming this summer through an "Open Courts" program. Ferdinand has said the program will help bring together the diverse groups of people that use the park.

The money will also go toward an organization called The B.R.O. Experience, which helps with violence prevention work for young men of color in the area. B.R.O will specifically focus on programming for the Fulton Street Houses, which is next to the park.

The initiative, organized by Friends of Jackie Robinson Park Playground, comes after an ongoing spike in gun violence in blocks surrounding Jackie Robinson Park.

Organizers also pointed to the role of local business owner Stefanie Siegel in the success of the campaign. Siegel, who owns nearby Bailey's Cafe, was able to secure partial matching funds from Con Edison for the fundraiser.

Read more about the fundraiser here.