By
- Annalise Knudson | aknudson@siadvance.com
- SILive Express Desk
A Staten Island intermediate school playground will undergo a major transformation with $5 million in improvements, and construction is set to begin in the coming weeks
Councilmember David Carr, who represents Staten Island’s Mid-Island, announced the renovation for the Markham Intermediate School (I.S. 51) playground in Graniteville, which will add basketball courts, fitness equipment, fencing, new pavement and landscaping to the facility
The project represents the second phase of improvements to the school’s recreational areas, with work expected to wrap up in early 2027
Carr secured the funding alongside his predecessor, former Councilmember Steven Matteo, to enhance athletic and play facilities for students at the middle school
“Students in Staten Island deserve an engaging, safe, and state-of-the-art space for play and physical activity,” Carr said. “Adequate physical activity is a critical component of classroom success. Our youth should have facilities that rival any other borough, and I’m happy I could be a part of making that a reality by negotiating this funding.”
The School Construction Authority completed an earlier rehabilitation of the I.S. 51 playground in 2020. It involved a renovation of the area adjacent to the playground, with a new synthetic turf field with a painted track surrounding it, new basketball courts and an area for an outdoor classroom
The new phase builds on those improvements with additional amenities and upgrades to the intermediate school’s outdoor space
“Thanks to the <a href="https://healthylife7.com/a-partnership-approach-to-weight-loss-medicines/” title=”A partnership approach to weight loss medicines”>partnership and funding of Council Member David Carr, we are able to continue investing in this school and deliver important improvements that will benefit students for years to come,” said SCA President and Chief Executive Officer Celeste A. Ramirez
