Exclusive | NYC womens shelter brings cat fights, junkies and bizarre antics to neighborhood near playground
A $500 million Upper West Side women’s shelter that was supposed to come with an on-site health clinic has instead brought drug use, public nudity and daily mayhem to a block with a popular playground, furious neighbors said.The 200-bed Project Renewal shelter at 537 West 59th St.opened in May to house women grappling with addiction and serious mental illness.But locals say the facility opened without the promised clinic — leaving residents without needed care and families scared to use Gertrude Ederle Playground next door.“It’s a huge problem.
It’s right next to a playground,” neighbor Heather, who declined to give her last name, told The Post.“There are people shooting up and vomiting in the playground.”A teacher who asked not to be named said her school now takes the students to a playground further away to avoid the chaos. “The reason why we haven’t been coming here as often is because of the women,” the teacher said.
“When you have little ones running around, it becomes unsafe.”The teacher said syringes have been found in the park, and that residents have been spotted naked and sometimes seen setting up makeshift camps on the sidewalk.“Obviously they don’t get the help they deserve,” she said.“These people are not just struggling financially.
They’re struggling mentally.”Heather said she has seen residents wandering the area in bizarre outfits — including one woman dressed as a devil and another in a towel and ski goggles.“They’re getting half a billion dollars to do this, and clearly they’re not providing the services they’re supposed to,” she said.Project Renewal’s financial records show the nonprofit received nearly $104 million in government grants during fiscal year 2025.A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services, which manages the shelter contract, said the location is already providing the women with much-needed services.“This recently opened site is currently equipped with clinicians, c...