FDNY, family, and friends gather at the newly named Yadira Arroyo Playground. Photos courtesy of NYC Parks
BRONX TIMES R 2 EPORTER, JUNE 4-10, 2021 BTR
Cathedral High School
proudly congratulates the Class of 2021
The graduates were awarded over
$27 million in college scholarships and grants and have been accepted into schools such as Rice University,
Cornell University, Barnard, New York University, University of Pennsylvania,
and University of Southern California.
Among our graduates we have a QuestBridge Scholar.
Belong. Believe. Become.
350 East 56th Street, New York, NY 10022
(212) 688-1545 www.cathedralhs.org
Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools
BY JASON COHEN
Bronx EMT Yadira Arroyo,
who was killed in the line of
duty four years ago when her
ambulance was stolen and the
driver mowed her down, will
now have her name remembered
forever.
On May 27, the Parks Department
renamed Blackrock
Playground the Yadira Arroyo
Playground in honor of the departed.
The somber ceremony
featured FDNY, elected officials
and family and friends of
Arroyo.
Arroyo, a 14-year FDNY
Emergency Medical Technician,
was a dedicated leader
and public servant who gave
her life for the community.
Her uncle, David Malave
and one of Arroyo’s sons, Jose,
spoke about her.
“It’s a real honor, privilege
and amazing experience
to have had such a hero of a
mother,” he said. “I appreciate
all of you coming out. I know
my mom is looking down and
she’s very proud of all the
faces she sees today.”
Malave told the attendees
that life has not been
the same since Arroyo was
killed. He thanked everyone
for honoring his niece and is
grateful the playground was
renamed for her.
“My only hope is she will
be remembered the same way
we remember her, a heroic
woman who was fearless in
the face of diversity,” he said.
The decision to change the
park name was made with support
from the FDNY, elected
officials, Community Board
9, EMTs, paramedics and the
Hispanic Society Fire Department
of the City of New York.
The newly renamed FDNY
– EMT Yadira Arroyo Playground
was designed with input
from the students of the
nearby P.S. 119 and most recently
renovated in April 2019.
A central water play area, used
on hot days, divides the playground
into two sections–one
for older children and one for
younger kids and tots.
FDNY Commissioner Daniel
Nigro and Assemblywoman
Karines Reyes also spoke about
Arroyo.
“She was a hero because every
day she came to work and
went into this community answering
each call for help,” Nigro
said. “She was without question,
a remarkable woman.”
Reyes, a registered nurse,
knows firsthand about saving
lives. The assemblywoman
noted that no one
leaves their home expecting
to not come back.
“I find it fitting that we
honor her memory in renaming
this park so she can inspire
the younger generation
into a life of service,” Reyes
said. “This community was
better because of women like
her.”
‘A heroic
woman’
Playground named in honor
of FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo
/www.cathedralhs.org
/www.cathedralhs.org