Community News
BY BILL PARRY
The jewel of Astoria is
about to be polished.
Astoria Park, the
105-year old, 56-
acre oasis along the
East River, is on the
verge of a $30 million investment
from the city.
Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen joined
elected officials, community leaders
and city parks officials to
break ground on the first phase
of the project, which will include
a synthetic turf soccer field and
track, site amenities and much
needed erosion control. Work
is expected to be completed in
Spring 2020.
A second phase which includes
the reconstruction of Charybdis Playground
with a spray shower and comfort
stations is slated for completion
in Summer 2020.
“After years of hard work, community
input, and collaboration, I’m
thrilled we are able to break ground
on Phase One of the new Astoria
Park,” City Councilman Costa Constantinides
said. “This soccer field and
track is over eight years in the making,
and reflects a broader investment in
making this park not only more accessible,
but sustainable to meet the
demands of the 21st Century. I am
thankful Astoria Park was selected
as just one of five anchor parks, giving
it the proper attention this green
space deserves.”
24 NOVEMBER 2018 I LIC COURIER I www.qns.com
Launched by Mayor Bill de Blasio
in August 2016, the anchor parks
initiative committed a total of $150
million to make major improvements
at a large park in each of the five
boroughs. Each was selected based
on historical underinvestment, high
surrounding population and potential
for park development.
More than 750,000 New Yorkers
live within walking distance of the five
parks that were selected, according
to City Hall.
“These parks are neighborhood
anchors — green spaces that serve as
focal points for communities,” Parks
Commissioner Mitchell Silver said.
“When we announced the Anchor
Parks initiative, we got overwhelming
reaction from community members
who gave us their input on how to
use $30 million to make these old
parks new again.”
The other anchor parks include
Highbridge Park in Manhattan, St.
Mary’s Park in the Bronx, Betsy Head
Park in Brooklyn and Fresh Kills Park in
Staten Island. Construction is expected
to get underway in Astoria Park in the
next few months, according to Silver.
“The start of construction on major
improvements to Astoria park is a
milestone for park equity not only in
Queens, but for all of New York City,”
Glen said. “With an Anchor Park in
each borough, these investments
fund renovations and new resources
in long-overlooked parks serving a
total of more than 750,000 New
Yorkers.”
/www.qns.com
