May 11, 2015 By Michael Florio
A significant revamp to a popular Astoria playground is expected to begin in the fall of 2016.
Astoria Heights Playground, located on 30th Road between 45th and 46th streets, will be undergoing a $3.3 million overhaul starting fall of 2016, according to the Parks Dept.
The Parks Dept. plans to add new equipment and change the layout of the adult and children’s sections of the playground.
On the lower level of the park, designed for children, there will be new playground equipment specifically for children aged 2-5 years; and a separate section with new play equipment for children aged between 5-12 years, according the Parks Dept.
Other changes to the lower level include removing the pool and replacing it with an elaborate spray shower. The spray shower will be surrounded by a seating area, located next to the ramp that connects the lower and upper levels of the park, said Meghan Lalor, a spokeswoman for the Parks Dept.
“The work out equipment, which is located near the playground, will be moved to the upper level,” said Lynn Kennedy, the founder of the Friends of Astoria Heights Park. “There will also be a painted track on the upper level.”
A multiple purpose sports field will be coming to the upper level that can be used for tennis, baseball and other sports. It will be located next to the workout equipment, according to the Parks Dept.
Additionally, there will be trees added to increase shade and enhance the beauty of the park.
These plans were presented to Community Board 1’s Park Committee on April 30th, and were well received, according to Lalor. The next step is for the Parks Depart. to go over the plan with the Public Design Commission, which is expected to sign off on it next month.
Lalor said that the renovations will take roughly a year to complete. She said the park will be closed for one year in order for the renovations to be completed all at once.
The renovations will cost more than $3.3 million, according to the Parks Dept, with $1.1 million being allocated from Councilman Costa Constantinides’ office; $500,000 from Queens Borough President Melinda Katz’s office; and $1.2 million coming from the de Blasio administration’s Community Park Initiative (CPI) program, which is investing $130 million to rebuild 35 parks around New York City.
Kennedy said it will be a welcome change for the community.
“We have advocated for improved equipment,” Kennedy said. “It is such a heavily used park and it is so important that these renovations happen.”
“The park space is not just about the renovations though, it is about how our community comes together and celebrates,” Kennedy said.
Several events will be hosted at the park throughout summer as part of the CPI program, the Parks Dept. spokesperson said.
The Friends of Astoria Heights Park will host “It’s My Park Day” on May 16th, from 9 am to 1 pm. There will be children’s bicycle riding classes that day from 10 am to 1pm.
The group will also be holding a mural celebration on May 30 and be hosting a movie night on July 8.
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20 Comments
It’s still PS 10 Park to older residents and always will be. Astoria Heights. Please! Nice to see they’re bringing sprinklers back. That pool looked nasty.
I’ve lived in Astoria, around the corner from this Park for 55 years and that sign saying it was “Astoria Heights” appeared about a decade ago. At the time I remember wondering when it became Astoria Heights. This playground and most of the them in the city always had sprinklers which is more sanitary than a pool so it’s nice to see they’re bringing them back.
Gotta update the park so all the Foreigners can play soccer. It’s just like when we lost our park on 48st and Broadway. Yay we renovated it now it’s locked up only Mexicans are allowed to play soccer at Bryant HS now and we lost our handball courts. Why not just get it over with and rip everything out and put a dog park in so all the yuppies can bring they’re disgusting little dogs in.
Wow, you seem miserable and a little xenophobic. Do you realize that most of the people with dogs in Astoria are old-timers and immigrants? I know this because I have a dog and I interact with them.
Also, neighborhoods change. It’s part of life. Astoria is safer now than 20 years ago.
This park is closer to Steinway Street. This is not the Astoria Park under the RFK Bridge
Hopefully they install speed bumps on the streets running along aside it . I live right beside it and it is scary the speeds cars drive next to a playground
the astoria park pool is like 2 miles away! the 10-park pool was the last “neighborhood” pool and now they’re going to “remove” it? why didn’t they just use the money to restore it? i don’t think that’s progress. i think it’s a cop out! just throw in some sprinklers. they’re easier and cheaper to maintain so “they” don’t have to be bothered with it. but what about the kids? why does “progress” have to constantly take stuff away from the kids?
There is no such place as “Astoria Heights.” Any day I expect to hear “Riker’s Island Heights” referring to the nabe by the island bridge come into vogue. I have lived in Astoria for 54 years and there is no such name and never has been, not in the several centuries since the Dutch moved in.
This blows! I can’t believe we’re losing our pool!!!
Just to clarify, Jerry, this is not the Astoria pool at Astoria Park. It is a small kids only pool at Astoria Heights Park in a different part of Astoria.
I’m wouldn’t be shocked if they made this luxury condos for the in coming trust fund brats invading the neighborhood.
Just to clarify, Jerry, this is not the Astoria pool at Astoria Park. It is a small kids only pool at Astoria Heights Park in a different part of Astoria.
Astoria Heights is the name of the playground, it’s on all the signage.
when did this become “Astoria Heights” — I DON’T THINK SO — and why the change of name it is “Astoria” — NOT “ASTORIA HEIGHTS” —
There is no name change. That’s the name of the playground, and has been for years now. What do you mean? I’m confused by your statement. That’s been the name of this playground for a very long time.
No that park has always been 10 park, as in JHS 10
Just to clarify, this article is NOT referring to Astoria Park (yes the first line makes this confusing). It is referring to Astoria Heights Park (45th st and 30th rd). Perhaps this is the source of confusion?
its always had the sign that said Astoria Heights you just never seen it. 54 years and she never looked at the sign
What’s going on here is some posters have lived in Astoria a long time (like me) and others are new comers. It was Astoria, not Astoria Heights. That slapped a sign up about 10 years ago calling it that.
So many parks in astoria need this…Astoria Park by the river has equipment that has been there for many decades and is old. .. The park on 48th street and 21st Ave is old rusted and rubber floor is is uneven and unsafe. .. Why are long island parks so much safer and child friendly?