In July 2018, Whalen Park was reopened amid fanfare with family members of the park’s namesake present. At a cost of $1.8 million, Councilman Andrew Cohen said at the time, “Today we have a park that’s as good as any park in the city.”

Now, some residents are worrying over activities inside the park that go beyond just “hanging out,” with some fears the playground may revert back to the days when vagrancy was such a normal occurrence. Indeed, the park had been such an eyesore that it left then-Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene to declare it was once “plagued with drugs and homeless individuals” during the 2017 groundbreaking of the park.

At the Sept. 4 meeting of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association, local residents spoke about observing drug dealing and public urination.  Additionally, the association has received text messages complaining of these activities and more.

On a recent visit by two Norwood News reporters, two men were seen drinking from an open container. A woman accompanying them threatened one reporter holding a camera with physical harm if they took pictures inside the park.

Nestled between Perry Avenue on the east and the Mosholu Library branch on the west, the park had seen some rough times prior to the renovations.

Walking by the park on an almost daily basis, Sheila Sanchez has come to know some of the people who hang out there. She admits to becoming angry when she sees how bold some of those people in the park are when they carry out illegal activities in broad daylight.

“About two months ago, a saw a group of adult men inside the playground area drinking a bottle of tequila while children played on the equipment,” Sanchez said.  “I couldn’t believe that this was happening around noon-time, too.”

Unafraid to confront some of these people, Sanchez also learned that some do not live in the neighborhood.  “One lady that hangs out there told me she’s from Yonkers and others [hanging out and drinking] have told me they don’t even live in the area,” said Sanchez.

Barbara Stronczer, chair of Community Board 7’s Parks Committee, remembers some of the unsavory activities that took place in the park before the renovations and wants to take quick action to prevent any reverting to the past.

“People will be afraid to bring their kids there when they see a group of men sitting there drinking,” Stronczer said.  She promised to bring up the issue at the next meeting of CB7’s Parks Committee on Sept. 11.

Inspector Thomas Alps, commanding officer of the 52nd Precinct, did not respond to an email requesting comment on whether officers are on the quality of life issue.

Additional reporting by David Cruz and Jonathan Custodio.

admin

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.