Daniel Avila/NYC Parks
Dec. 30, 2019 By Kristen Torres
City officials held a ceremonial ribbon cutting Friday to celebrate the completion of the track and soccer field at Astoria Park and to announce that construction had begun on a children’s playground inside the 60-acre park.
The revamp is part of the city’s $150 million Anchor Parks Initiative, which aims to rehab one park in each borough that serves a large population and has historically been underfunded.
Astoria Park received more than $28 million for upgrades under the program, according to the Parks Department.
“There’s no better way to wrap up the year and kick off 2020 by celebrating the amazing work we’re doing at Astoria Park,” said City Council Member Costa Constantinides Friday.
The overhaul to the park is being done in three phases, with the first phase consisting of the track and field now complete. The first phase, which was finished several months ahead of schedule in October, included the construction of an 8-lane running track, a synthetic turf soccer field and an adult fitness area. The cost of the first phase was $13.5 million.
“I was so thrilled to see the state-of-the-art track and soccer field returned to the community ahead of schedule,” Constantinides said.
The second phase of renovations includes a $12.3 million overhaul of the Charybdis Playground, which is located just north of the pool. The revamp will include new equipment, a new water play area and renovated seating. The playground work will also feature a revamp of the bathrooms which have been closed since 2015.
“It’s equally as exciting to see construction begin on a new Charybdis Playground, which will give generations of Astoria residents a safe and constructive place to play,” Constantinides said.
The playground revamp is expected to be completed by spring 2021, according to the Parks Department.
Details of phase three have yet to be released by Park officials, but they are expected to focus on landscaping the northern section of the park.
The Astoria Park re-design was spearheaded by the Parks Department, based on community input.
Officials hold groundbreaking at Charybdis Playground Friday (Photo: Daniel Avila/NYC Parks)
2 Comments
The only difference I see are drainage ditches that are collecting standing water which will be really helpful in producing west nile virus for the neighborhood. There was nothing wrong with the old track. If it ain’t broke, dont fix it…especially with bad drainage systems.
Can we please ban scooters from entering the park. Every two minutes there is one passing by (mostly food deliveries) through the newly updated walkway.