PS 17 Schoolyard
Location
Jersey City, NJ
Status
Pending Construction
Construction Completion
2027
Site Area
1 Acre
Construction Cost
$868,000
People Served
25,472
Special Features
Mound Lawn, Spray Shower Area with Leaf Sprays, Painted Games, 2-5 and 5-12 Play Equipment, Seating Area
The Joseph H. Brensinger Elementary School – PS 17 – has 987 students in K-8th grade. The existing schoolyard consists of barren crumbling asphalt with no greenery of any type. The condition of the space discourages any meaningful recreational use or organized programming. During summer school, the heat becomes unbearable.
While the district is beginning work to envision a larger renovation at PS 17 - as part of their overall commitment to greening more schoolyards - New City Parks was instrumental in securing a commitment from USSF to install a mini-pitch in the schoolyard, including a new repaved surface, painted lines and integrated goals enclosed within rebound boards to keep the ball in play inside a sturdy perimeter fence. The US Soccer Foundation is also working with the school administration to program the pitch for the students. A Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) will provide funding for the installation of benches, planting beds and landscaping, including trees. The planting beds and tree wells have been designed to capture and infiltrate stormwater and provide shade for the color seal play spaces and enhance the area immediately adjacent to the new soccer mini pitch. PS 17 has four recess periods, and a robust after-school program that utilizes the schoolyard during summer school and on weekends. Additionally, the school hosts festivals three times a year for Brensinger families in the schoolyard.
New City Parks will oversee all construction to ensure budget compliance and timely completion.
Proposed full schematic design for PS 17.
