By Tiffany Williams –
Bronx families now have a fully renovated space to play and relax, as NYC Parks celebrated the reopening of Jennie Jerome Playground today. The project, funded by the Mayor’s Office at $4.3 million, brings new play equipment, shade trees, seating, lighting, and other upgrades to the busy urban park.
“Jennie Jerome Playground is an oasis of recreation in a dense urban environment, offering Bronx children a safe place to play and stay active,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. She highlighted that the playground was upgraded through the Community Parks Initiative (CPI), an equity-driven program that improves public spaces in neighborhoods with the highest need.
The reconstructed playground features separate play areas for ages 2–5 and 5–12, inclusive play panels for children of all abilities, a new spray shower, picnic tables, and seating. Shade trees and dense plantings help mitigate heat and noise from the nearby Cross Bronx Expressway, while enhanced lighting, improved drainage, and updated curbs and pavement make the site more inviting. Construction was completed several months ahead of schedule.
Named for Jennie Jerome, daughter of financier Leonard Jerome and mother of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the playground has been part of the Parks system since 1950. It adjoins one of six precinct neighborhoods prioritized for investments by the Mayor’s Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and is part of the broader Vital Parks for All plan, which has committed more than $400 million to parks in high-need areas. Nearby, a $2.4 million skatepark at Jerome Playground South opened in October 2023.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson praised the renovations, saying, “With new play areas, trees to shield our families from extreme heat, and inviting spaces for recreation, Jennie Jerome Playground is a model for how we can build healthier, safer communities through thoughtful, green design.”
State Senator Gustavo Rivera added, “I want to thank the City for giving so many children in our community a top-of-the-line recreational space where they can play and stay active.”
CPI renovations have been shown to increase park usage and improve quality of life, with a study from the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy finding that nearby residents are 66 percent more likely to visit renovated parks compared with non-renovated sites. Jennie Jerome Playground stands as the latest example of these efforts in the Bronx.