The school asked for help
P.S. 40 turned to its neighborhood partners about improving Augustus St. Gaudens Playground on Second Avenue, between East 19th and East 20th Streets. The Gramercy Park Block Association’s Arlene Harrison and the 23rd Street Association’s Sharon Ullman organized a meeting with school representatives and the Parks Department.
Turning a conversation into a work list
A July 14, 2005 Town & Village report described commitments to repaint a basketball-court wall, clean padded surfaces and examine improvements to fencing and the sprinkler fountain. Partnerships for Parks also offered seasonal planting activities, with flowers, plants and supplies.
A shared neighborhood space
P.S. 40 used the playground for school activities and after-school play. The letter announced commitments to improve the space.
November 2005
The children get to work
On November 4, fourth graders came to Augustus St. Gaudens Playground and adjoining Peter’s Field in three shifts. With teachers and parent volunteers, they cleaned the public spaces using tools, paint supplies, brooms, rakes and gloves supplied by the Parks Department.
A December school newsletter by the Block Association’s board member and P.S. 40 parent Jan Renner preserved the same occasion. It followed the summer planning meeting convened by Arlene Harrison and Sharon Ullman, turning a conversation about the playground into a shared morning of work.
May 2006
A garden to look after
The partnership returned on May 5, 2006, when classes planted flowers at the playground. Parks supplied large wooden planters, soil and plants, and staff introduced children to the planting activity. The planters were to remain in the playground for the children to care for.
Renner served as the school–community liaison.
Sources
Sources: the July and December 2005 newspaper reports, the December 2005 school newsletter, and the May 2006 planting-day report.