Joshua Hopkovitz and his wife pile their two young sons into their car, for a 10 minute drive to Clove Lakes Park.

Until three weeks ago, the boys often played outside PS 54, but brown construction boards block access to the schoolyard now.

"No one told us about it; there were no notes or news about it. So I'm not really sure what we're going to be doing now for a nice outlet," Hopkovitz told us.

Joshua Hopkovitz says many children from the area's sizable Orthodox Jewish community used the PS 54 playground thanks to a policy launched by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, which opened up schoolyards for community use.

But PS 54 is one of seven Staten Island schools finally getting their own gymnasiums, as a result of Mayor de Blasio's Universal Physical Education initiative.

The boards went up before construction begins this summer.

"Certainly, Willowbrook residents are concerned about losing some the schoolyard and play area, those concerns are valid. I understand them. I'm open to any suggestions and willing to meet and talk and find alternate locations,” City Councilman Steve Matteo said.

A small slice of the schoolyard will remain open, but residents say it is hardly enough.
Rabbi Yaakov Lehrfield of Congregation Young Israel of Staten Island says the problem highlights a surprising concern in this leafy residential community: a lack of parks.

"Now that the people realize that that is our only park, I hope the city will come and revisit Willowbrook, and say even though we are the green borough, Willowbrook is not getting it fair share of a place for toddlers to play,” said Rabbi Yaakov Lehrfield.

The Rabbi's synagogue has its own green space, which is used mostly for its baseball field and basketball court, but does not have much space for younger children. He says he's just provided elected officials with a list of locations he thinks could be turned into public playgrounds. Councilman Steve Matteo says he's willing to listen.

The School Construction Authority says it will take about a year to build the new gymnasium, and reminds residents that when it's complete, the playground will once again benefit the entire community.