Gravesend NYCHA Complex Debuts Playground Built from Recycled Corks

A newly opened playground at the Marlboro Houses in Gravesend, Brooklyn, features a unique design element: pathways constructed from approximately 450,000 recycled wine and champagne corks. The project, dubbed "Village Vibes," serves as the final installment of the second phase of the Public Housing Community Fund’s (PHCF) $3.2 million Green Space Connections initiative.

Developed by the Cork Collective—a partnership between the Rockwell Group, Amorim, and BlueWell—the installation aims to demonstrate the viability of repurposed materials in civic infrastructure. According to project organizers, the corks were collected from various hospitality venues across New York City before being processed at a facility in Wisconsin, where they were cleaned and reformed into durable, water-permeable surfacing. Proponents of the material suggest that cork offers a cooler, antimicrobial, and safer alternative to traditional plastic-based playground surfaces.

Beyond the cork pathways, the 7,200-square-foot site includes sensory-focused play structures designed by The Urban Conga and ecological landscaping developed in collaboration with Field Form. These additions are intended to support stormwater management through rain gardens and pollinator-friendly plantings. PHCF executive director Alex Zablocki noted that the design process prioritized resident feedback to ensure the space meets the specific needs of the community.

This project is part of a broader effort to revitalize open spaces within NYCHA developments. Previous phases of the Green Space Connections program have seen similar investments at the Roosevelt, Castle Hill, and Patterson Houses.

The Marlboro Houses site is also slated for further development. Construction is underway on an $18.2 million agricultural education hub designed by Studio Gang. That facility, which broke ground in 2024, is expected to include a rooftop greenhouse, a teaching kitchen, and a pantry for distributing locally grown produce to residents.