As Village residents await Borough President Scott Stringer’s recommendation early next month regarding N.Y.U.’s expansion plans, The Local is taking a look at the impacts of the project. Today, we’re examining the concerns surrounding the replacement of four playgrounds under the proposed development. Yesterday, we looked at the impact the proposal would have on parking in Greenwich Village. Check back for our coverage of concerns surrounding loss of light, the dog run, and the LaGuardia Community Garden.

If N.Y.U.’s expansion is approved, what will happen to the playgrounds in its footprint?

There are three playgrounds on the two blocks where N.Y.U. is seeking to build. They are Mercer Playground, located along Mercer Street on the north block; Key Park, which is just west of Mercer Playground between the two buildings in Washington Square Village; and Rocket Ship Park on the south block. Each one will be demolished and eventually replaced. N.Y.U. says that at a minimum, a temporary playground will always be open during the proposed 20-year buildout. Key Park and Rocket Ship Park are not open to the public — the replacement parks will be public.

What do the current playgrounds offer?

Mercer Playground doesn’t really resemble a “playground,” but is more an enclosed paved area where children can learn to ride bikes. Key Park is a 23,000-square-foot play space that includes swings, slides and toys for toddlers. It is popular with parents because of the additional security that comes with a locked entrance – access is limited to a few hundred local families who sign up for a key. Finally, Rocket Ship Park is a small, gated space of about 3,000 square feet that is open to children who attend University Plaza Nursery School located next door.

When will the old playgrounds be removed and where will the new ones go?

According to N.Y.U.’s environmental impact statement, both the Mercer Playground and Key Park will be the first to go as a result of construction beginning around 2013.

Natalie Rinn Key Park playground.

Under the proposal, the southern portion of Mercer Playground would become a staging area for the construction of the temporary gym that would replace Coles Gymnasium. Key Park’s similarly-sized replacement would be shifted further to the center of the north block in a new public green space around 2013. During this time, a temporary playground would also be built on the southwest corner of the north block.

Finally, between 2013 and 2014, Rocket Ship Park would be demolished. N.Y.U. says the temporary play space constructed on the north block would help alleviate this loss. By 2017 or 2018, a new and significantly larger 11,000-square-foot playground would be built immediately to the north of Rocket Ship Park’s current space.

In the final stage of development – sometime between 2022 and 2029 – Mercer Playground would be completely demolished and replaced with new plazas and play areas.

Wait, isn’t there a playground currently under construction along LaGuardia Place? Is that project separate from N.Y.U. 2031?

Yes, ground has been broken on Adrienne’s Garden, which will be a playground for toddlers within LaGuardia Park. Adrienne Goldberg, a late community activist, spearheaded the project six years ago with support from N.Y.U., Friends of LaGuardia Place, Community Board 2 and the Parks Department. However, sometime between 2029 and 2031, N.Y.U. would demolish Adrienne’s Garden to make room for the planned LaGuardia Building on the western portion of the north block. At the same time, N.Y.U. would fully replace the playground on a yet-to-be-determined spot along LaGuardia Place between West Third and Bleecker Streets. The university acknowledges the logistics of this move are unfortunate, but emphasizes the playground would be available to the community for at least 15 years before they replace it with a new one.

Will neighborhood parents have any input regarding these new play spaces?

The university says it will conduct public review processes to find out what residents want most in these new spaces. University Vice President Alicia Hurley emphasized that the new playgrounds will be open to the public, and added that there is “a lot of room for improvement with the playgrounds.”

So, what do Greenwich Village families have to say about all this?

In general, parents are most upset about the loss of Key Park. There is no real alternative in the area that rivals the gated playground in square-footage, quality or exclusivity. Those who have access to it don’t want to give it up. Steve Birnhak, a Greenwich Village parent, said he appreciates the safety and space the park provides for his 3- and 5-year-old children. Plus, he said, it’s their favorite. “Even when I ask if they want to go to some other park, they choose this one,” said Mr. Birnhak. “And, this one is really nice.”