Brooklyn Playscape Fosters Intergenerational Community Interaction

A new playscape at Marlboro Houses, a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) campus in Brooklyn's Gravesend neighborhood, has been designed to foster intergenerational community interaction. The abstract, bright-yellow play structures are characterized by undulating forms that offer multiple uses, including seating, slides, climbing surfaces, hiding nooks, and viewing portals. This open-ended design invites interpretation and allows each resident to engage with the space in a way that suits them, promoting curiosity and individual creativity. The playscape is notable for its explicit design goal of being multigenerational, aiming to enhance social connections within the diverse community of approximately 5,800 residents spread across 28 buildings.

The concept of a "playable city," where play is integrated into urban infrastructure for everyday engagement, was central to the design, according to Maeghann Coleman, cofounder of the Urban Conga, the design firm responsible for the installation. The Urban Conga collaborated with residents throughout the design process. The 7,250-square-foot playscape is divided into two distinct areas on the campus. Its development was part of the Green Space Connections initiative, a program led by the Public Housing Community Fund in collaboration with NYCHA and the Design Trust for Public Space. This initiative aims to revitalize underutilized open spaces within public housing developments, transforming them into more environmentally sustainable and culturally relevant areas through a participatory design approach. A resident stakeholder group, engaged through workshops organized by the Center for Justice Innovation, selected the Urban Conga to lead the revitalization of their outdoor environment. Residents expressed a desire for stronger connections to nature and expanded recreational opportunities. The existing outdoor areas at Marlboro Houses, including large grassy courtyards and mature trees where the playscape is situated, have historically been less hospitable due to a combination of design choices and policing considerations. The playscape's design seeks to counteract this by creating inviting and accessible spaces for all residents. The project emphasizes how thoughtful design can address social needs and enhance the quality of life in public housing environments by creating shared spaces that encourage connection and activity across different age groups. The playscape's abstract forms are intended to be universally accessible and engaging, moving beyond traditional playground equipment to offer a more nuanced and adaptable recreational experience for the entire community.