Nov. 6, 2017 By Tara Law
A playground in Astoria that was once viewed as filthy and a magnet for crime has undergone a $1 million revamp.
Local officials cut the ribbon Thursday to a newly upgraded Sean’s Place, a playground located at 31st Avenue and 38th Street that had not been renovated for 20 years and where residents had complained about it being covered with broken glass, condoms and drug paraphernalia.
The revamp represents one of two steps that the Parks Dept. has taken to tackle the problem, which has included locking the gates at night from 9 p.m. through 7 a.m.
The overhaul has brought several new features to the park including new play equipment, a decorative spray shower, fences, benches and plantings. New asphalt has been laid down in the basketball court and a new pavement was installed in the park and the surrounding sidewalk. The park also has a new ADA compliant ramp by the swings.
“We are happy to re-open Sean’s Place Playground with new amenities that look bright, clean, and in great condition,” said Councilman Costa Constantinides. “Children deserve to play in a space that’s maintained in good and safe condition. We will continue to hold the Parks Department accountable for keeping Sean’s Place Playground a clean space for all families.”
Construction began on the project in Sept. 2, 2016 and was completed within a year. The mayor and the Queens borough president funded the project.
The playground is named in honor of Sean McDonald, a rookie police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1994 at the age of 26. McDonald was born in Ireland and moved to Astoria as a child, where he attended the now-shuttered Most Precious Blood Catholic School, which was located near the playground.
(Photo: Maria Fitzsimons, Flickr)
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7 Comments
Hey maaaaaaaaan it’s looking good with the graffiti. It’s like the 70s maaaaaaan
We’ll keep re-electing mayors like Di Blasio and you’ll have graffiti and worse…
Let me remind you….HE WON with 66 percent of the vote citywide! And if the right-wing agenda was truly catching on, (as some of you try to convince yourselves of), Staten Island wouldn’t be the ONLY PLACE IN NEW YORK CITY voting this way. All you are is one small clique in a SEA OF DEMOCRATS.
So being concerned about graffiti in a brand new park and other crime that’s been reported on this board is now a “right wing” agenda? Settle down lady.
Graffiti on the toddler equipment
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The graffiti is getting out of hand these days. City ought to use that graffiti resistant paint in areas like this.
More people need to call 311 and complain. i asked my neighbors to call about the graffiti and they said they do not mind it.