The improved Pearly Gates Playground located at St. Peters and Tratman Avenues, currently features play areas designed in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The park features double the number of swings and triple the number of slides, more greenspace, a spray shower and a sustainable rain garden.
The more accessible and attractive play ground is well-equipped with play-inspiring equipments such as spinning units, a balance beam and a spray shower. Accessible entrances with entry gates; passive seating areas; expanded green spaces with ornamental interest; new pavement; accessible drinking fountains; new site furniture; improved drainage and perimeter fencing are some other additions to the facility.
A host of sustainable design elements have also been incorporated such as rain garden, which captures storm-water runoff from the park’s asphalt pavement surfaces. Rain gardens also help in protecting the environment by re-absorbing water into planting beds. The existing green space has been multiplied five-fold to 25% of the park property. Eco-friendly materials used in the park include: local South Bay Quartzite from Champlain, NY for the gates, pavement, and flagpole base; recycled asphalt content in all asphalt pavement; 90% recycled material in the safety surfacing; and use of mixed-colour recycled glass as fill base for pavements and recycled plastic lumber for the bench slats. A low-flow spray shower that operates on a timer is fitted for children to save water.
First opened in 1952 under the joint operation of Parks and the Board of Education, the park featured a wading pool, slides and see-saws. The park was originally called the Westchester Playground until 1998, and was renamed as Pearly Gates Playground.
