Parks
New and Improved
BY ANGELA MATUA
AMATUA@QNS.COM
A 77-year-old field house in Queensbridge
Park will be demolished to make
way for a new energy-efficient building
and comfort station.
On March 29, the Parks Department,
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer
and Long Island City residents broke
ground on the $6.25 million building
at a spot below the Queensboro
Bridge. The old field house, which
was constructed in 1941, will be demolished
to make way for the new
1,500-square-foot facility.
The new, LEED-certified field house
will include a community room, an office
area for Parks staff, a public restroom
and storage space for the park’s maintenance
equipment. In addition, an outdoor
plaza with seating, bike racks and water
fountains will be constructed around
the field house.
“This new Park House will bring great
new amenities to all who use Queensbridge
Park,” said Van Bramer, who
allocated $2.5 million for the project.
“Ensuring that this park has all of the
features and amenities needed to serve
the seniors, families and children of
Queensbridge and western Queens has
always been a priority for me. I am so
happy to be here today breaking ground
at the site as we mark the next step in
making this Park House a reality.”
Green design features include plumbing
fixtures that reduce water use, an
energy efficient heating and cooling system,
energy-efficient lighting, increased
ventilation and light-colored paving to
keep temperatures down in the park.
36 APRIL 2018 I LIC COURIER I www.qns.com
The park, which was acquired by
the city in 1939, is home to a soccerfootball
field, baseball fields, basketball,
volleyball and handball courts, a
playground with see-saws, swings and
jungle gym, a wading pool and picnic
areas.
The new design was presented to the
community in April 2017 and the new field
house will be opened in summer 2019.
Rendering courtesy of Parks Department
Photo by Emil Cohen / New York City Council
link
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