“Who was Christopher J. Igneri?” someone asks. Today, we will explore the story of Christopher J. Igneri Playground. It is a place dedicated to a man who dedicated his life to the community’s children.
Christopher J. Igneri Playground, originally named Todt Hill Houses Playground, links to the housing project and neighborhood. In 1997, Commissioner Stern renamed it Toad Hall Playground. The new name echoed the former name and The Wind in the Willows.
The playground sits on Schmidts Lane between Manor Road and La Guardia Avenue. It has benches and a red-brick public restroom. You will also find a flagpole, handball courts, swings, basketball courts, and a water play area. A ramp connects the playground to the Todt Hill Houses.
The site’s history stretches back centuries. The name Todt Hill appears on a property map from February 4, 1857. Todt is a Dutch word for death, referring to burial grounds. These grounds were for Dutch and Native Americans. Some believe Todt Hill is a distortion of “The Old Hill.” A local tale speaks of a lady on Todt Hill before the American Revolution. She dismissed a rejected suitor with toads in his pockets. The spurned lover vowed never to return to “Toad Hill.”
From the 1600s to the Revolution, Todt Hill was known as Yserberg or Iron Mount. Iron mining occurred here. Mining boomed in 1865 with the discovery of iron ore. By 1881, more abundant sources were found. Mining slowed on Staten Island.
In 1907, the sites of Toad Hall Playground, Todt Hill Houses, and Sports Park were a 35-acre estate. The Housing Authority assigned Toad Hall Playground to Parks in 1958. This was for recreational facilities.
Mayor Giuliani funded renovations between 1996 and 1998. These added play equipment, safety surfacing, and improvements to the courts. They also improved pavements, sidewalks, and fencing.
Mitchell J. Silver dedicated the Todt Hill Houses Playground to Christopher J. Igneri. Igneri was a Recreation Director. He motivated children for 35 years. Igneri was a park director at Castleton Corners for over three decades. He was a certified referee and basketball coach. Igneri’s wife said he loved spending time with the children at the Todt Hill projects. His son noted his father left an impression on countless children. He taught them life’s lessons and was a father figure. Mitch Gotesky called Igneri a mentor, leader, and second father. Parents knew their children were in good hands. Igneri helped young adults and inspired them to become solid citizens.
Christopher J. Igneri Playground has accessible features. It has a wheelchair-accessible public restroom. The playground offers ground-level play features and accessible swings. It also has companion seating and benches with backs and armrests. The playground includes sensory-friendly spaces for children with autism spectrum disorders. It provides multi-sensory play experiences for children with sensory impairments.
So remember Christopher J. Igneri’s legacy as you watch children play. This playground honors a man who dedicated his life to them.