The first thing you’ll notice about Debra Hopkins (aka Miss Debbie) is her smile. It’s infectious and easy; the benevolent smile of a favorite aunt or elementary school librarian. She immediately puts you at ease. She’s the kind of person you want working with your child, which makes her perfect in her new role as Youth Activities Coordinator for Washington Square Park.

While Debra started in her role this fall, she’s already been part of the WSP family for 3.5 years; longer, if you consider the 30 years that she’s been a Park user. But she’s always been drawn to working with children and she sees this new position as a continuation of her path, not a break from it. She worked for 14 years as a drug prevention councilor; 9 years in an elementary school and 5 years in a high school. She taught a pre-college program at NYU. “I’ve always had a connection with children,” Debra says. “It feels natural for me to interact with kids and their families.”

And that’s exactly what Debra’s new job entails: interacting with children and families. Up until now the playground associate has been a seasonal job and there hasn’t been someone full time in the position since the 70s. Traditionally they make sure that the playgrounds are clean, and facilitate games and arts and crafts projects. But Debra is dreaming much, much bigger. “This position needs to be a connection between the community and the Park,” she says, with a gleam in her eye. “I’m making connections with organizations that have been in the neighborhood for ages—like Greenwich House and NYU—but that haven’t been actively brought into the Park in an intentional way. I believe in taking what’s already there, bringing them together, and making something new.”

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She’s hit the ground running and has already started working on new children’s programs in the Park. Along with a focus on arts and education, Debra hopes to bring an intergenerational element to her new activities. “When young children interact with the generations above them it makes for such a rich relationship,” says Debra. She envisions art classes taught by older artists from the community and musical performances by students that incorporate some learning about the instrument or genre.

You’ll find Debra rotating through the large and tot playgrounds and the Play Hills, admiring the children’s garden she helped to plant, and hanging out in the North West corner to check in on The Uni Project and brainstorm new activities for the under-utilized spot. “I want people to come up to me and say hi or ask questions! I can help them find the family bathroom, help them sign up for the family email list, teach them a new game, give suggestions on which playground they may like best, anything!” So you heard it straight from Miss Debbie herself, seek her out. She wants to get to know you. And while you’re there don’t forget to check out the playground bulletin board for up-to-date information on what’s happening in the Park!