Blake Hobbs Playground is located at East 102 Street To East 104 Street and 2 Avenue on Manhattan, New York City.
This playground is dedicated to Blake Hobbs (1911–1973), a musician, volunteer, and teacher who is also known around here as “The Music Man of East Harlem.”
Hobbs, a cherished musician, educator, and volunteer, devoted his life to promoting the artistic development of this community. Originally a Pennsylvania native from Scranton, he earned a maths degree from John Hopkins University in 1933 and eventually moved into East Harlem in 1958.
The Blake Hobbs Playground, which spans two city blocks, features two full-sized basketball courts and two handball courts. The land was originally leased to the City of New York in 1958 to provide park space for the George Washington Houses project.
It was named for Blake Hobbs in 1976, three years after his death in May 5, 1973.
What’s at Blake Hobbs Playground
The basketball courts and handball courts are located in the southern half of the park.
The northern section of the park has a playground structure for children to climb and play on. This small shaded playground features playground equipment like wooden stepping stones, two play structures, slides and platforms for kids to play make believe.
We like that the playground features a more naturalistic feel and makes use of wooden for a more rustic vibe.
The playground is fenced off from the road, allowing parents to ave more peace of mind.
The Blake Hobbs Playround is open from 6 am to 9 pm, March 2 to October 31, and 6 am to 8 pm, November 1 to March 1.
It is located next to Harlem Prep Middle School.
You will also find wooden facilities, space for kids and adults to move about, along with rest benches and a couple of picnic tables.
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