Oct. 26, 2016 By Hannah Wulkan
The planning for Astoria Park’s $30 million facelift is now underway.
Councilman Costa Constantinides announced this morning that the first community meeting to plan improvements for Astoria Park will be held on November 16 at 7 p.m. at the Bohemian Hall at 29-19 24th Avenue in Astoria.
The park was designated an Anchor Park in August, under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to allocate $30 million for major improvements to one park in each borough.
“The Anchor Park $30 million investment for Astoria Park will transform our neighborhood’s vital greenspace. The funding will bring historic improvements to the playing fields, playgrounds, and lawns,” Constantinides said in a statement.
The planning session will provide community members a chance to give input as to the improvements that they would like to see in the park.
Ideas for the park that Constantinides has already mentioned in the past include adding a soccer field in the middle of the track, as well as improving the bathroom facilities, among others.
However, Constantinides clarified that the design and construction phases of the project will not begin until public opinions have been heard.
“We encourage our community to bring friends and to spread the word about this workshop. We look forward to hearing everyone’s ideas,” Constantinides said.
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4 Comments
The Soccer Field/Stadium is a BAD, BAD idea. It would interfere with track and field activities (which do need to be upgraded) and cause horrendous parking problems. We also don’t need another “for pay” facility in OUR park.
The park should not be like a over crowded room, we need actually breathing space. There are other soccer fields, dedicated areas (including the beautiful ones seen right across the river). We should focus on improving and updating what we have, playgrounds, restrooms, water fountains, the pool, and fixing the poor walkways and areas of erosion. Maybe even funding long term care.
The soccer field is a GREAT, GREAT idea! There is no place to place soccer. People end up playing on concrete. Soccer is big in Astoria. If built properly it will be a great addition to the park and won’t interfere with the track. It’s done so at Juniper Valley park.
Across the river is not accessible. I wonder how you feel about the tennis courts, is that pay for play ok?
I agree with Jen..the soccer field is a terrible idea – at least in the middle of the track…makes no sense. There are other activities played there, Frisbee, football, athletic training, warm-up area for running, etc., that use the middle of the track that would be eliminated aged by the soccer games. Soccer is great, but, not in the middle of a running track! I vote for new handball courts. They closed ours maybe 10 years ago to park construction trailers and never reopened them. What a shame as handball and paddle all are low cost, fun activities that everyone can play…look at any handball court and there are ALWAYS people using them. If you can build a new skatEdoardo rink, surely you can resurrect our handball courts!! Please!!!
No more dog parks – please