New signs posted around the recently renovated Wise Towers playground on the Upper West Side have left some nonresidents of the building with questions.
In the past week, signs that read “No Trespassing,” “For Wise Towers Residents Only,” and “Please Respect the Wise Tower Playground” have appeared around the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complex’s courtyard at West 90th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues.
“Playground not public?” one reader emailed in.
“Can you investigate? Parents of the UWS are dying to know if we can still take our families there,” another reader wrote.
Neighborhood residents weren’t the only ones with questions.
Upper West Side Councilmember Gale Brewer emailed NYCHA and leaders of the Wise Towers Tenant Association on Thursday asking about the new signs.
“I write on behalf of many local residents, schools and child care programs that have expressed concern regarding the recent signage posted at the Wise Towers Playground on 90th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues,” Brewer wrote. “I am seeking clarification regarding the use of the Wise Towers Playground. Is its use now restricted to Wise Towers residents and their guests? Additionally, I would like to inquire about the basketball court located on the same block, just west of the playground.”
Brewer hasn’t received an answer as of Friday morning.
Tenant leaders of Wise Towers expressed concerns over how the playground was being used to West Side Rag back in January. One community leader from the NYCHA complex told the Rag at the time that while the new equipment was a great addition, they were concerned that too many nonresidents, who rarely visited the plaza before the new equipment was installed, were bringing their kids to play and possibly taking up space from children who live there.
A spokesperson from NYCHA gave another explanation for the signs. “In response to resident concerns about the treatment of the new playground equipment and grounds, Wise Towers’ property management has installed signage in an attempt to address those concerns,” the spokesperson told the Rag, but did not specify what the “concerns” were.
NYCHA developments are owned by the city, but are overseen by private property managers. In the case of Wise Towers, the development is part of PACT, which provides enhanced property management and expanded on-site social services.
“The PACT program unlocks funding for comprehensive renovations to NYCHA developments, including grounds and outdoor spaces, with the goal of improving the quality of life for residents, but also creating safe spaces for the surrounding community to enjoy,” the NYCHA spokesperson said, seemingly in contradiction of the “No Trespassing” signs.
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