NYCHA Receives Design Award for Post-Sandy Playground Projects 

On April 24, the American Society of Landscape Architects’ New York chapter (ASLA-NY) honored NYCHA’s efforts in redeveloping community playgrounds following the destruction from Hurricane Sandy.  

NYCHA, in partnership with the landscape architecture firm Grain Collective, was one of 20 recipients of the Merit Award at ASLA-NY’s annual Design Awards ceremony, held at the Central Park Arsenal. The Merit Award was presented in the Community Impact category for “NYCHA Playground Redevelopment Post-Hurricane Sandy: A Story of Resilient Community-Driven Design.” 

Design Award honorees were selected based on quality of design and execution, innovation, and impact on the community and the landscape architecture profession.  

In the years after Hurricane Sandy ravaged coastal areas, NYCHA worked with Grain Collective to complete the comprehensive redevelopment of playgrounds with unique features such as early childhood areas, community gardens, shaded adult seating, and flexible central green platforms made from recycled lumber for community gatherings. ASLA-NY said that the project design team built strong partnerships with NYCHA residents and housing managers, ensuring each playground reflected diverse local needs and aspirations.  

Playgrounds at Beach 41st Street (left) and Smith Houses were among those recognized as part of the post-Hurricane Sandy redevelopment effort. (photos courtesy of Grain Collective)

Joy Sinderbrand, NYCHA’s Senior Vice President for Capital Programs, noted that the playground redevelopment effort focused on revitalizing the community spaces and followed the completion of infrastructure and resilience work. 

“Our goal wasn’t just to replace what was lost, but to leverage the limited funding to be as impactful as possible by developing vibrant public spaces that build social resilience,” she said. 

In recognizing the NYCHA playground projects, ASLA-NY said: “The story of NYCHA playground redevelopment post Hurricane Sandy is a compelling example of resilience, collaboration, and the power of community-driven design under challenging circumstances. This initiative underscores the critical role of design in post-disaster recovery, particularly for marginalized communities, and highlights the value of putting people at the center of the process.”  

Featured photo caption: NYCHA’s redevelopment of playgrounds post-Hurricane Sandy was recognized with ASLA-NY’s Merit Award. (courtesy of Ignacio Ayestaran)