Congress Earmarks $850K For UES Park, Nadler Says

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Congress has approved $850,000 in federal funding to reconstruct and modernize Seabury Playground, with the goal of improving safety and accessibility for neighborhood families, Rep. Jerry Nadler said Friday.

Seabury Playground, located at Lexington Avenue and East 96th Street, was last renovated in 2006, according to the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.

The funding was secured by Nadler as part of a larger federal appropriations package passed last week that combined six spending bills, including funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Nadler represents New York's 12th Congressional District, which includes most of the Upper East Side.

The $850,000 allocation will go toward rebuilding and upgrading Seabury Playground to address safety concerns and improve accessibility, creating what Nadler described as a more resilient and inclusive recreational space for Upper East Side residents.

In a statement, Nadler said he worked to ensure several New York City projects were included in the bill, aimed at improving accessibility, preserving history, upgrading affordable housing and modernizing parks across Manhattan.

The spending package also includes $850,000 to repair and improve pedestrian pathways throughout Central Park, funding upgrades aimed at enhancing safety, accessibility and long-term infrastructure resilience.

While Nadler supported many provisions in the broader spending package, he ultimately voted against the bill, citing opposition to additional funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The playground funding is one of several allocations directed toward Manhattan neighborhoods in the final package.

No word yet on the park's construction timeline or design process.

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