Kelly St bet, Av St John and Leggett Av
1958

This playground in Longwood is named after the advocacy group "52 People for Progress". The group was organized in 1980, and was one of the first to collaborate with the Parks Departments to help revitalize and maintain their neighborhood park. Built in 1958 as a school playground for P.S. 52, it had a wading pool, basketball courts, and a comfort station. During the social and economic crisis of the 1970s, the park and its structures deteriorated, causing concern among residents. This prompted the creation of 52PFP, who volunteered to rehabilitate the park. The site was transferred to the Parks Department in 1986, and in 2017 it underwent extensive renovations. An adjacent parcel of land was also purchased to add basketball courts to the playground. In 1990, the playground was rededicated to commemorate the contribution made by 52 People for Progress. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks.