Former NY Rangers player Brian Mullen is in charge of cutting the ribbon.
Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
City officials, New York Rangers and Benjamin Moore reps, and local youth hockey players celebrated the renovation of Paul L. McDermott Rink at Stanley Isaacs Playground in Upper Manhattan with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.
The extensive makeover, honoring late Rangers legend Rod Gilbert, was made possible thanks to the generous donation of $218,000 from the New York Rangers and Benjamin Moore and conducted through the NYC Parks Adopt-A-Park program.
Originally built in 1974, the popular spot for roller and ball hockey players and leagues features a new playing surface, shining brightly in the Rangers’ team colors: blue, red, and white. The renovation also includes dasher boards, upgraded fencing, and an ADA-accessible ramp. The park house, adjacent playground area, and spectator benches received a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore paint.
The Rangers and their partners, the NYC Department of Education and Ice Hockey in Harlem will host free youth clinics on the refurbished rink for youngsters of all levels, including entry-level clinics for kids who might otherwise not have access to the sport.
Before the ribbon-cutting, a slew of speakers addressed the crowd.
First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Iris Rodriguez-Rosa
said investments in public spaces were more than just “making them attractive” and emphasized that New York City Parks and partners like the Rangers were deeply committed to creating and maintaining these community spaces in New York City.
“These renovations are also an investment in public safety because if you use it, then people will use it properly, and it provides public safety when you do programming well,” Rodriguez-Rosa said.
Former Rangers left wing Brian Mullen grew up playing roller hockey in Hell’s Kitchen with his brother Joey. Mullen admitted he was…
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