Family breaks ground for loved one’s playground

On Tuesday, October 27, Councilmember Vincent Gentile and Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey came together in a touching ceremony to break ground on the reconstruction of Patrick O’Rourke Playground at 81st Street between 11th and 12th Avenues.

The park, which was originally constructed in 1956, has not received any renovations since the 1990s. With the promise of many new additions, the ceremony began at 3:30 p.m. and included many family members of O’Rourke, who died in 2001, 20 years after a surgical mistake left the then-eight-year-old with severe brain damage;the playground was renamed for him in 2003. His family, who hailed from Dyker Heights, subsequently successfully lobbied for laws and procedures that protect thousands of patients in hospitals and medical establishments across the country.

Jeffrey said he was “overwhelmed by the amount of family,” at the ceremony and that he was “truly honored” to have them all in attendance for such a special moment, especially in light of the effort made by the O’Rourke family to “turn something tragic into something positive.”

The occasion of the groundbreaking, said Gentile, was “a joyous day, a day we’ve been looking forward to,” stressing, “It took a lot to get here. [This park] had been a large part of Patrick’s childhood, it’s still a sanctuary. And it is my pleasure to allocate the funding I have to renovate the playground.”

The park, Gentile added, “stands as one of Patrick’s legacies and will continue to be used by new kids for generations to come.”

Echoing Gentile’s idea of the park being a sanctuary for kids, Community Board 10 District Manager Josephine Beckmann noted, “this park is a special place for toddlers to come play and feel safe.”

Elaine O’Rourke, Patrick’s mother, was presented with a gold shovel to commemorate the groundbreaking on her son’s namesake park. She went on to thank everyone for coming and for all those making the reconstruction possible, noting, “Anytime you have to take your child to the hospital, think of Patrick.” O’Rourke also said that because of her son’s story many are more aware of the importance of hospital security and safety.

The $1 million reconstruction — funded by an allocation procured by Gentile — will include new paved surfaces and drainage, brand new swings, play equipment, a safety surface, and a tot playhouse. A new water play area and drinking fountains will be installed, in addition to new picnic tables, benches and a renovated flagpole. And in addition to the beloved bear currently in the playground, Parks will be installing a brand new cub to keep her company. New trees, flowering shrubs and landscaping will complete the transformation of the once-aging playground to a beautiful community park and play area worthy of the name of Patrick O’Rourke.