Last week, scores of neighbors and concerned New Yorkers showed up for Community Board 2’s hearing with the Parks Department about plans for a new recreation center at 388 Hudson Street. Those plans are being used as an excuse to demolish the landmarked Tony Dapolito Recreation Center. Once again, we received pushback against the need to integrate into any planning for a new recreation center how to renovate and reopen the old one. Why? As the Parks Department made clear at the hearing, they have no desire to do so, although Mayor Mamdani promised he would when running for office.

In spite of this, we all spoke, and made clear that plans for 388 Hudson and for Dapolito are inextricably linked, and that preserving Dapolito must be part of the plan. The ultimate outcome here is still very much to be determined.

There are several ways you can communicate to decision-makers your desire to preserve, repair, and reopen the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center:

Tell Mayor Mamdani, the Parks Commissioner, and city officials plans to demolish the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center are unacceptable + must be changed — CLICK HERE

Fill out the survey for Community Board 2, Manhattan District Needs, and say you want the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center repaired + reopened — CLICK HERE