Asphalt Green in the Upper East Side Of Manhattan can be found at East 90th Street, York Avenue, and FDR Drive.
The park was where New York City first mixed asphalt for its roads in 1914.
Its landmark is a holdover from the former Municipal Asphalt Plant.
When it was in operation, the plant’s strategic location on York Avenue and F.D.R. Drive at 90th Street allowed materials to be delivered to it by ship via the East River rather than truck.
Up until 1968, barges used the East River to dredge up sand and gravel for the asphalt plant to mix into pavement.
In 1970, it came under the control of NYC Parks.
What’s at Asphalt Green
Now, there is a facility and non-profit called Asphalt Green that helps New Yorkers of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds lead healthy lives through a lifetime of exercise and sports.
It also offers aquatics programs along with fitness and camps.
DeKovats Playground
There is also the DeKovats Playground that is located close to the Asphalt Green recreation facility.
The playground was rebuilt in 2009 to adhere to new accessibility and safety standards.
It includes new toddler and pre-teen play structures, a safety surface, a spray shower area, steel fences, drinking fountains, drainage and water supply, new pavement, curbs, and landscaping.
It has two play structures, several water sprinkler fountains, two baby swings, two regular swings, a play house, sand box, and space that kids can use to practice scooters or kicking balls.
It’s especially fun at the DeKovats Playground during the summer when the sprinklers are turned on.
