Grand Opening celebration of Twin Parks West Inner Courtyard/Recreational Space
Families gathered to celebrate the opening of the Twin Parks West Inner Courtyard/Recreational Space enjoying new playground equipment, refreshments, and entertainment.
Bronx, NY – (June 28, 2022) – Members of Gilbane Development Company, Apex Building Group, Kraus Management, Twin Parks Tenant Association, and members of the community gathered to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Twin Parks West Inner Courtyard Recreational Space and to celebrate the end of the school year.
The event kicked off as the water was turned on and the playgrounds were officially open to residents. Families gathered in the new space while enjoying a cookout complete with hamburgers, hot dogs, and ice cream, perfect for a warm summer day. Kids danced to music while waiting in line to get their faces painted. The Webster Avenue PAL Center Sports Director, (a neighboring facility) ran drills and exercises on the refinished basketball court.
Renovations to this recreational space include two new play areas, one for toddlers to six years and one for seven- to twelve-year-olds, a water play area complete with three different fountains, and a basketball court which has been resurfaced with new backboards installed. All new game tables have been affixed to the space, including general and senior seating areas. Landscape and design improvements include new LED lighting, fresh landscaping, and plants, complete with a stucco surface finish on all retaining walls.
The inner courtyard originally contained a smaller play area for residents and a daycare facility which closed over 10 years ago. BronxWorks, the supportive services provider at Twin Parks West, completed the first phase of renovations for occupancy in 2021. The BronxWorks space includes two classrooms, a computer lab, a pantry, and an office suite for one-on-one consultations. A separate entrance leads to a community room (programmed by Kraus Management) and an office for the Twin Parks Tenants Association. The courtyard redesign has opened the space for use by residents of all ages. A new laundry room is located on the south side of the property with windows facing the courtyard; in warm weather, residents can sit in the park while waiting for their laundry cycle to finish. The community center classrooms also face the courtyard with access to outdoor seating for center members to enjoy.
Twin Parks West is currently in the midst of Phase 2 renovations, with an anticipated completion date in early 2023 (delays due to COVID). Twin Parks is part of the New York City Housing Authority’s (“NYCHA”) federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, called PACT (Permanent Affordability Commitment Together) in New York City. RAD is a tool housing authorities can use to make necessary improvements and ensure long-term affordability.
About Gilbane Development Company
Gilbane Development Company is the real estate development, financing, and ownership arm of Gilbane, Inc., a 150-year-old family-owned company. With over $8 billion in development and more than 20,000 units of housing completed/underway, Gilbane Development Company’s projects incorporate every aspect of real estate including: multifamily housing (market rate apartments, student housing, and affordable housing); single-family residential communities; mixed-used developments; healthcare facilities; K-12 schools; government facilities; garage/parking areas; corporate headquarters; operational | data | distribution centers; R&D | manufacturing facilities; and, many types of facilities delivered through public-private partnerships. To learn more, visit www.gilbaneco.com/development.