Central Park Conservancy, the nonprofit group charged with caring for the park, is hoping to raise $40 million to cover upgrades and repairs for the park's 21 playgrounds. The project, Central Play, will be carried out over next five years. This is an expansion to the playground renovation project already underway.
The playgrounds have not enjoyed the systematic upgrades that have been given to the lawns, buildings and ballfields. Their conditions are therefore uneven. The new project is aiming to smoothly incorporate playgrounds into their surrounding landscapes, and employ design innovations through the use of ecologically sensitive materials.
JPMorgan Chase has already donated $3 million to Central Play. Another portion of the funding will come from hedge fund manager John Paulson's gift of $100 million last year.
The Conservancy raises more than 85 percent of the park's $46 million annual budget.
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Photo Credit: NY Times
