Living at the intersections of Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Gowanus and Carroll Gardens, we are fortunate to be surrounded by a vibrant community and diverse spaces. Yet, for many of us residing near Baltic Street and Butler Street, accessing safe and engaging play areas for our children can be challenging -- especially those with natural grass or turf. In fact, there is only one small turf field in a 10 block radius where an estimated 2,800 families live. This is why, as parents in this neighborhood, we are particularly concerned that large park attached to Success Academy and Boerum Hill School for International is limited to school use only. During out-of-school hours, this park could become a vital resource for our community.

Every weekend and school holiday, we see young children, including our own, yearning for a soft space run around and play. What concerns us is that this field and playground is fenced off to the community and is only available for use by the children that attend the aforementioned schools. 

Schoolyards and play spaces like these serve as vital lungs in cities, providing essential areas for physical activity, social interaction, and a sense of community. According to New York City's Mayor's Management Report, access to safe and engaging play space has a direct impact on public health, contributing to both physical well-being and mental health for residents. By unlocking this park for public use, particularly when the school is not in session, we can enrich our community's quality of life and foster a safer, more connected neighborhood.

Moreover, initiatives like 'Schoolyards to Playgrounds,' supported by reputable organizations such as the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, provide a blueprint for this transformation. It's an initiative with a proven track record, having successfully converted many schoolyards into usable public spaces, bringing much-needed recreational areas to neighborhoods across the city.

We  understand that opening schoolyards and playgrounds to the public involves considerations of safety, maintenance, and community collaboration. Therefore, we are calling on the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Community Boards, City Council members and the local school board to consider granting public access to this promising green space outside of school hours. Doing so would signal a commitment to utilizing our city's resources to benefit the broader community.

Join me and other community members in urging our local officials to take action. Let's make the park on Butler and Baltic an example of communal cooperation and commitment to the well-being of all neighborhood residents. Please sign this petition to help us liberate this vital resource for our children and neighbors.

Signed, 

The Butler-Baltic Block Association