16 The QUEE NS Courier • JUly 10, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com City cuts ribbon on $6.65M Queensbridge Park project, seawall reconstruction Queens Library announces library-based UPK classes this fall BY PAULINA TAM [email protected] Mayor Bill de Blasio’s vision for Universal Pre-K is becoming a reality at two Queens Library locations. Starting this fall, Queens Library at Woodhaven, at 85-41 Forest Parkway, and Queens Library at Ravenswood, at 35-32 21st St., will provide early childhood teaching. Licensed early childhood instructors selected by the library will be facilitating the schooling, the library said in a statement. “Queens Library is dedicated to lifelong learning. No time in a child’s life is as important to academic success as the early learning years, and there is no better place to create good readers than at the library,” Queens Library president Thomas Galante said in the statement. “Having Universal Pre-K in the library will also present the opportunity to connect other members of the family with programs, including adult education, ESOL, computer training, job search help. There is so much Queens Library offers to enrich lives.” Exact start dates have not been announced. Photos by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks BY QUEENS COURIER STAF The Long Island City waterfront has just received a much needed facelift. Officials cut the ribbon on July 8 on the $6.65 million project in Queensbridge Park which included the restoration and improvement of the seawall, and the creation of a six-foot-wide waterfront promenade with benches and plants as well as a small pier at the north end. “The completion of the Queensbridge Park Seawall restores access to the waterfront, access that has been denied for far too long,” Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer said. “No longer do Queensbridge residents need to look at the seawall as it crumbles into the East River. Instead, residents will be able to enjoy a park and waterfront just as lovely as any in New York City.” The seawall protects the park from high tides and covers some of the mechanisms and underwater cables that keep a number of subway lines in order. It was previously blocked off by a chain-link fence due to decades of deterioration. This project, managed by the NYC Economic Development Corporation, included the reconstruction of the seawall using rip-rap revetment. Rip-rap, made up of large rocks, was used to protect the shoreline by absorbing and deflecting waves and also decreasing the effects of erosion. “New York City’s 520 miles of shoreline is one of its greatest assets, and we are proud to continue reconnecting New Yorkers to their waterfront,” said Dmitri Konon, NYCEDC executive vice president for capital programs.
QC07102014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above