Construction Underway at Sixteen Sycamores Park

For years, Boerum Hill mom Daughtry Carstarphen has been taking her kids to Sixteen Sycamores Playground on Schermerhorn Street between Nevins Street and Third Avenue.  Two years ago, after recognizing how underused and uncared for the park was, she decided something had to be done.

"I called 311 first, and then Parks security" she said. "Then I got connected with Community Board 2."

And now, after patience and much dedication on the part of the Boerum Hill community, the park is finally undergoing renovations, which are slated to happen in two phases.

The first is a complete renovation of the comfort station, which houses two restrooms (open to the public and maintained by the Parks Department) and a meeting room. This work has already begun and should take approximately one year. The second, which involves replacing all the playground equipment, installing new sprinklers and creating a seating area for adults, has not yet been given a start date, according to a Parks Department spokesperson.

About a year ago, then Councilmember David Yassky pledged $416,000 for the renovations, which was matched by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. Councilmember Stephen Levin, who now represents the district, is also supportive of the park.

"Sixteen Sycamores is a great resource for the open-space starved Boerum Hill," he said.

Indeed, the only other park in the neighborhood is on Third Avenue and Degraw Street. Coincidentally, , brought about by strong community support.

Residents are happy the park is finally getting the attention it needs.

"Boerum Hill has very little park space and Sixteen Sycamores Playground has almost been forgotten," said Boerum Hill Association President . "This is a lovely park."

The Boerum Hill Association has been hosting summer movie nights at the park and plans to continue this summer.

"We want to bring more activity and more neighbors to the wonderful space," said Kolins.

Indeed, the park's location on busy Schermerhorn Street, near Flatbush Avenue, is an important place for green space.

"We go there all the time, it's one of the best parks around," said Carstarphen. "It's shaded in the summer."

Even the Parks Department is happy to see the park renovations moving along.

"Parks is grateful to the Borough President and Councilmember Levin for making funding available to renovate this park," said a Parks Department spokesperson.