NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver speaking during the ribbon cutting ceremony at Chappetto Square Thursday. He is accompanied by (L-R) QPB Donovan Richards, CM Costa Constantinides, CB1 Chair Marie Torniali and Queens Parks Commissioner Michael Dockett (Photo: Parks Dept.)
April 9, 2021 By Christian Murray
The Parks Dept. has completed a $4.5 million revamp of a small park located by the Triborough Bridge and several Queens officials visited the area yesterday to hold a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Chappetto Square, a 1.25 acre park located on Hoyt Ave (between 21st and 23rd streets), has been transformed from an unkempt asphalt area into a landscaped community park.
The park now features four new seal-coated ecua-volley courts, drinking fountains with bottle fillers, asphalt pathways, and enhanced landscaping. It also includes shaded seating areas, game tables, and lighting for the pedestrian pathway.
“With these new upgrades, Chappetto Square is now better equipped to meet Astoria’s recreational needs,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver at the ribbon cutting. “I’m thrilled to unveil these new amenities that will serve the children, families, and residents of the surrounding communities for years to come.”
The renovation was funded under the city’s Community Park Initiative, a program established in 2014 where 67 parks small parks were designated for a revamp.
The program aims to upgrade smaller parks that have received less than $250,000 in capital funding in the past 20 years and are located in densely populated areas with higher-than-average concentrations of poverty.
Chappetto Square, prior to revamp (Photo: Astoriapost)
“The reconstruction of Chappetto Square has transformed this space into a first-class neighborhood park that will serve the entire Astoria community,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards at the ceremony.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic hopefully in our rear view mirror, folks are beginning to re-discover their communities, and there is no better place for Astoria residents to start their re-discovery than by visiting this wonderful gem of a park,” he added.
Chappetto Square is just one of the seven small parks next to the bridge.
The remaining six parks—located on Hoyt Avenue North and Hoyt Avenue South, between 21st and 26th streets—are known as the Triborough Bridge Playgrounds.
Chappetto Square honors the memory of Peter Chappetto, an Astoria resident who was killed in action during World War II.
“Chappetto Square has long been a popular but underfunded space, but now we have a park worthy of the diverse community that uses it,” Constantinides said. “As the weather warms and people seek safe activities and recreation, beautiful spaces like reimagined Chappetto Square are vital.”
Constantinides is officially stepping down from office today to take over as the CEO of the Astoria-based Variety Boys and Girls Club.
Chappetto Square has undergone a $4.5 million upgrade (Photo: NYC Parks)
The $4.5 million upgrade to Chappetto Square is complete (Photo: NYC Parks)
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10 Comments
They sell open alcohol from the two white vans parked by the curb. Wait for summer to see the smoking barbecue. Yeah, 4.5. Million tax money’s worth. So sporty
They did a terrific job on this little park. I wish the older parts of Astoria Park (away from the track and along the promenade) would get the same kind of rehabilitation. I still get jealous of residents of Hunters Point/LIC every time I go to Gantry Plaza and Hunters Point Parks.
Volley ball? Really? Hockey has always been played here. What were you thinking? Bad move.
Illegals play volleyball, that’s what they were thinking.
$4.5 million!!!
what a joke
$4.5 million and years for a project that myself and two other people could do on the weekend and complete within months for less than $10 grand. Nice to know our tax dollars are going to great use!
Big waste of money should have made a parking lot
Back in the 70s, this was called the cheesebox.
This park was called the Cheese Box when I was a kid. It was shaped like a wedge of cheese. Many hockey games were played there.
Glad the writer used the real name of the bridge – “Triborough Bridge”