[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 93 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      TURTLE BAY ASSOCIATION SALUTED FOR PLAYGROUND REVITALIZATION

                                 ______


                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 1995
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to alert my colleagues to an 
exciting community development project that has taken place in my 
district.
  Mr. Speaker, we are daily confronted with the news of the breakdown 
of our country's infrastructure, of crumbling communities that have 
ceased to care. Across this Nation, the most basic city institutions, 
such as parks and playgrounds, have seriously declined in recent years, 
as drug dealers and the homeless move in and residents and their 
children stay away. That's why I think it is important to herald the 
kind of community action that has resulted in a stunning turnaround for 
Gen. Douglas MacArthur Playground in New York City. Over the past year, 
the Turtle Bay Association, with the overwhelming support of 
neighborhood residents, has effected a revitalization for the embattled 
playground.
  The new MacArthur Playground should serve as a shining example to all 
those who doubt that communities can rally to bring about substantive 
change. Beginning in 1994, the Turtle Bay Association organized badly 
needed renovations to the park, such as replacing contaminated sand in 
the sandbox and repairing damaged park equipment. Recently, the City 
Parks Foundation donated substantial funds for the construction of a 
state-of-the-art modular play system. To reduce installation costs, 
neighborhood residents actually raised money to purchase the equipment 
themselves. Now MacArthur Playground stands ready for its official 
ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 6th, a monument to community action as 
well as an oasis for hundreds of children and their parents.
  The Turtle Bay Association and local residents should be commended 
for their devotion to this extremely worthy project. Richard and Amy 
Harary, and David and Susan Post Jensen in particular deserve special 
recognition and thanks for their efforts to turn MacArthur Playground 
around. I would also like to salute 860 and 870 UN Plaza, Chemical 
Bank, The Family School, Post Jensen Inc., Richard's Interior Design, 
the City Parks Foundation, and the Tenants of 301 East 47th Street. 
Finally, local merchants who donated food for volunteers at the project 
deserved recognition for their generous part in this revitalization. 
These people and organizations are a reminder to us all that urban 
decline is not irreversible, that caring neighbors can effect a world 
of good. They give us hope for the future of our troubled cities.
  Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to report such good news to my 
colleagues, and to be able to congratulate all those who made it 
possible for New York's children to play in MacArthur Playground again. 
I am confident that their efforts will be enjoyed by generations to 
come, and I am hopeful that they will inspire others to do the same for 
their communities.


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