NYC women’s 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 local told The Post 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. Obtained by NY Post

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, case managers, and other social services staff to address the complex needs of each client and help them on their unique path to recovery and permanent housing,” the spokesperson said.

Neighbor Stacy Lefton said she has seen women fighting outside Project Renewal’s 59th Street Women’s Shelter. Obtained by NY Post

But Stacy Lefton, who has lived in the area for 17 years, said the once-quiet area has become unrecognizable.

“This is a family neighborhood,” she said. “I see the women fighting with each other.”

Lefton said ambulances are called to the shelter sometimes as much as four times a day. Over one recent weekend, she said, a woman spent hours outside without pants or underwear.

Lefton also, during a walk with her dog, watched another woman sit in the street, pull out a needle, inject herself and pass out.

The 200-bed Project Renewal shelter at 537 West 59th Street opened in May to house women grappling with addiction and serious mental illness. Google Maps

Lefton said shelter workers told her to call 911 when she raised concerns.

“It was so scary. I ran home and called 911 and reported she needed help,” she said.

“This is so counterproductive,” she said. “These people need to be in inpatient facilities. What they’re doing here is not appropriate at all.”

City Councilwoman Gale Brewer said her office has received dozens of complaints about the shelter and she recently met with Project Renewal and the city Department of Social Services about the issues, including about whether the population could be adjusted to include women with less potent needs.

“I was not supportive of this, but we’re trying to deal with it,” Brewer said.

Brewer said she also wants answers about when the clinic will finally open.

“It’s not open, and that’s a problem,” she said. “I have yet to get a date.”

Project Renewal’s plans for the shelter included a 1,500-square-foot clinic offering primary care, behavioral health services and other treatment to shelter residents and community members.

The spokesperson from the DSS said the clinic is still waiting on government approvals.

A spokesperson for Project Renewal did not respond to an inquiry from The Post.

The group Friends of Ederle Playground asked the city Department of Investigation in 2023 to probe the $500 million, 40-year government contract awarded during the final months of the de Blasio administration.

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