Barnett Newman Triangle secured an award of $250,000 from Councilman Christopher Marte’s office in the participatory budgeting sweepstakes, though PS 124 in Chinatown was actually the big winner, and will get a $1 million renovation of the upper playground, including repaving and an upgrade to the equipment. PS 042 on Orchard will also get $250,000 for its playground. (That’s my shot from above this spring; R. caught the others this past weekend.)

In the participatory budgeting process, residents can vote for a short list of projects culled from ones proposed by neighbors in the district. PS 124 got 2,078 out of 7000 votes, making it the clear winner to receive full funding of its proposed project. The second-place winner, PS 042, will also receive funding to improve its outdoor play space, including the installation of sensory equipment to support students of all abilities. Barnett Newman got 600 votes.

Barnett Newman Triangle’s funds will go to “flowers/greenery as well as irrigation system so that any plantings can be maintained and watered on a regular basis,” Marte’s office said.

“Currently the park has no water, so the irrigation system is paramount,” said Alice Blank, who heads up the newly formed Friends of Barnett Newman Triangle. “For now, the Roxy management agreed to let us use their spigot and hose which is great. The plants have been ordered and should be planted soon. Once in, I’ve been told we’ll need to water them at least once a day!”

The Parks Department had already cleared the old yews that were in the small planting area and completed a rat elimination program. The water for now is coming from The Roxy — though I am not sure how…