Welcome back! Today, we have a neighborhood update to share with you. Last month, after years of renovations, the Jacob K. Javits playground in Fort Tryon Park celebrated its grand reopening. On Saturday March 7^th, Fort Tryon Park's Jacob K. Javits Playground filled with families for the first time in nearly two years, thanks to the end of a long-awaited construction project that brought $3.1 million worth of upgrades to the play area. The reopening comes a year and eight months after the renovation project first began. Renovations were originally scheduled to be done last summer and about a decade after residents first started asking for upgrades to the playground, which sits above West 190th Street between Fort Washington Avenue and Cabrini Boulevard. The renovations bring new fitness equipment, additional seating and accessibility upgrades to the playground, along with a reconstructed playground, basketball courts and a drainage system. With these new amenities, the park now offers a number of features for all ages. Funding for the park's renovation was allocated by City Councilman Ydanis Rodrigue ($2.1 million), Borough President Gale Brewer ($600,000) and the Fort Tryon Park Trust ($350,000).

Now unfortunately, the reopening of the playground coincides with the current COVID-19 situation, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that people cannot enjoy the park. It is highly recommended that people stay home as much as possible, so although playing in the Javits playground may not be a safe option, one can still enjoy Fort Tryon Park. The park offers 8 miles of pathways for a jog or walk to get some much-needed fresh air. Additionally, the park is home to the city’s largest public garden: Heather Garden. For a reminder of spring, visit to see the garden in bloom- there are over 500 varieties of plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers. Of course, make sure to keep a safe distance from others at all times.

For those that are unfamiliar, here’s a bit of background on the playground’s namesake and the special place the park holds in the neighborhood and city. Jacob Koppel Javits (1904-1986) was a greatly admired New York politician. Born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan to Russian Jewish parents, Javits attended George Washington High School located on Audubon Avenue. He continued his education attending night courses at Columbia University and subsequently attended New York University Law School. Between 1941 and 1942, he served as an assistant to the Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service in the United States Army. In 1945, the Army discharged Lieutenant Colonel Javits, awarding him the Legion of Merit and the Army Commendation Ribbon. Javits later married Marion Ann Borris, eventually fathering three children: Joy, Joshua, and Carla.

Javits served as a Republican in Congress, representing the Washington Heights/Inwood district from 1947 to 1955. As a representative, he sponsored legislation concerning civil rights, health care, and social welfare. He continued his political career as Attorney General of New York State (1955-1957). Between 1957 and 1981, Javits served as United States Senator for New York State. In 1970, he served as the United States representative to the 25th United Nations General Assembly. Javits’ most significant pieces of legislation were the War Powers Resolution (1973), which limits Presidential authority during wartime, and the Pension Reform Act (1974), which safeguards the retirement pensions of over 50 million Americans. Although defeated in his bid for a sixth term in 1980, Javits is tied for the longest-serving New York Senator. In 1984, the convention center located on 38th Street and 11th Avenue in Manhattan was named after him. Jacob K. Javits was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. When presenting the award to Javits, President Reagan noted, “He has ably represented the people of New York in the Congress and all Americans to the world. With leadership and wisdom he has guided America through historic turning points, striving always for justice at home and peace in the world.” Pretty amazing, huh?

We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

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