New York Road Runners revealed on Wednesday that it will break ground on a track refurbishment project in Brooklyn as part of an agreement with New Balance to make improvements in New York City neighborhood parks.
Star Spangled Playground in Clinton Hill will be the first facility to be upgraded as part of a bigger push alongside the city’s Adopt-a-Park program to bring more people into running and invest in local communities.
“Every runner’s journey starts somewhere, and for many young people across New York City, it starts on a local track,” New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer said. “As the nonprofit that ‘runs’ New York City, we believe every New Yorker should have access to safe, welcoming spaces to move, play and discover the transformative power of running. Together with New Balance and NYC Parks, we’re proud to invest in community spaces that help inspire the next generation to take that first step and build healthier, more connected communities.”
The current rubber track will be replaced with a Mondo surface, bleachers added around the track along with benches and adult fitness equipment will also be installed. The site is being prepared for construction and is set to re-open in early fall this year. It opened in 1952 and is jointly operated with the Department of Education.
“Star Spangled Playground is an essential place for local students and Clinton Hill community members to play and work out, and this project will deliver a brand-new running track and new adult fitness area, along with new bleachers,” NYC Parks commissioner Tricia Shimamura said. “We’re grateful to New York Road Runners and New Balance for their partnership in transforming this site into a high-quality amenity that will be enjoyed by Brooklynites for many years to come.”
Last November as part of a partnership extension, NYRR and New Balance revealed that rebuilding local tracks would be part of their new multi-year deal.
According to the parks department, there are around 36 facilities throughout the five boroughs that qualify as a running track. The majority are traditional all-weather standard 400-meter tracks with lanes while other are shorter distances or long paths with gravel surfaces.
Other tracks slated for rebuild under the project have not yet been revealed but several high demand facilities could benefit from track resurfacing.
East River Park in lower Manhattan and its accompanying track are currently part of the East Side Coastal Resiliency initiative that will reduce flood risk due to coastal storms and sea level rise. That project is scheduled to be completed next year and will restore one of the area’s most popular running destination.
The fate other facilities like Joseph Yancey Track and Field in The Bronx across from Yankee Stadium is a bit unclear.
The track and its surrounding Macombs Dam Park opened in 2009 as a replacement for parkland where the current stadium sits and is routinely at capacity with runners and soccer players on its infield. Residents near the park and local run clubs have lobbied for the track, which has not seen upgrades in its 17-year existence, to be completely replaced.
