Gowanus' Ennis Playground Gets Long-Awaited $3M Upgrade

GOWANUS, BROOKLYN — A much anticipated revamp of one of the neighborhood's only green spaces officially reopened this week after a nearly $3 million upgrade.

Elected officials and Parks Department staff unveiled the $2.98 million upgrade to Ennis Playgroundo, which is found between 11th and 12th streets and Second and Third avenues, on Wednesday after it was first voted on three years ago.

The upgrade was funded with $1.85 million from Council Member Brad Lander, $650,000 from the Brooklyn borough president and $484,000 from Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“Ennis Playground is a beloved park in the heart of Gowanus and I’m thrilled to have supported this renovation of play space and equipment for park-goers of all ages,” Lander said. “The new and improved Ennis Playground is an important part of wider efforts in Gowanus to improve green spaces for current neighbors and provide a foundation for future growth.”

The new playground design includes basketball courts, spray showers, new playground equipment and a multi-purpose synthetic turf field that can be used for toss sports, picnics and other types of play, officials said.

(Daniel Avila)

The project was first proposed by the city's Parks Department and approved by Community Board 6 back in 2016.

Then, officials said the new design was meant to provide something for parkgoers of all ages. The new courts and play spaces could be used by children ages 2 through 12, bike racks, 30 benches and 240 feet of seating along low walls could be used by children and adults.

(Daniel Avila)

“I say all the time that parks are the great equalizer, and children and families of Gowanus deserve a state-of-the-art green space," Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said. "Three years after our community-led process to redesign Ennis Playground, we have a wonderful, environmentally-forward place for our neighborhood to share."

The reconstruction also included an upgrade to the park's entrances and a softening of the edges with trees and plantings, officials said.

“The transformation of Ennis Playground is another step towards bringing world-class greenspaces to neighborhoods all over our city,” said Commissioner Silver. “This investment by Council Member Lander, Borough President Adams and Mayor de Blasio breathes new life into a playground that will serve parkgoers from all ages and backgrounds. It will be a valuable resource for generations to come.”

(Daniel Avila)