6 times • NOVEMBER 26, 2015 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com REPAIRS COMING The weather-beaten ball fields at Principe Park. Public hearing in Maspeth for proposed Principe Park upgrades By Anthony Giudice agiudice@ridgewoodtimes.com @A_GiudiceReport Community Board 5 (CB 5) will hold a public hearing next month regarding the proposed plans for the reconstruction of the soft surface ballfields at Frank Principe Park, located on Maurice Avenue between Borden and 54th avenues in Maspeth. Principe Park — especially the ballfields — has been the focus of community concern for several years. Currently, the sports fields are prone to excessive flooding and have not been upgraded since the park’s installation in the late 1980s. The last major capital project for the park, a $3 million upgrade to the playground, tennis and basketball courts, occurred in 1996. Last year, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley allocated $5.7 million toward the renovation of Principe Park, and in May of 2015, she held a visioning session at Maspeth Town Hall where residents came together with the representatives from the Parks Department to suggest changes that they would like to see made to the park. “They are going to dig up the ballfields in their entirety, which means there is going to have to be a new drainage system installed. What I expect here is plans for a soccer field and two little league/softball fields,” said CB 5 District Manager Gary Giordano. “I think the importance is more significant for soccer use. That’s the sport that has grown the most, to my knowledge, in the last 20 years. When the park was reconstructed 20 years ago the demand for soccer wasn’t known. The field, as it is now, is not very conducive to play soccer. I would expect it will be an artificial turn field.” The hearing will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Maspeth Town Hall, located at 53-37 72nd St., in Maspeth. For additional information or to register to speak in advance, call the CB 5 in Glendale at 718-366-1834. Speakers will be limited to a maximum of 3 minutes each. Queens ready to deck the halls for the holiday season BY THE RIDGEWOOD TIMES STAFF editorial@ridgewoodtimes.com @RidgewoodTimes Carolers, tree lightings and visits from the North Pole’s most famous resident will be part of the fun at holiday celebrations across the “World’s Borough” in the days ahead. The festivities — scheduled to take place rain, snow or shine — include the following: Glendale The Glendale Kiwanis is proud to host the annual Christmas Tree lighting on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Glendale Veterans Triangle, where Cooper and Myrtle avenues intersect. Santa Claus will be there giving out gifts to the children and taking pictures. There will be live Christmas music and refreshments will be served. Maspeth Festive music will put everyone in the holiday spirit during the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce annual tree lighting ceremony slated to take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, at Maspeth Memorial Park, located at the corner of 69th Street and Grand Avenue. The program includes performances by singers Liz and Bill Huisman and students of the Song-and-a-Dance School in Maspeth. A free prize raffle and a visit from Santa Claus are also scheduled. Middle Village Holiday songs from young carolers and a visit from Santa Claus will highlight this year’s Middle Village tree lighting ceremony which will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night, Dec. 1, at Community United Methodist Church, located at 75-27 Metropolitan Ave. All guests are invited to bring an unwrapped toy to help disadvantaged children enjoy the holidays. The ceremony is sponsored by the Middle Village Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club of Middle Village and the Middle Village Property Owners and Residents Association. Ridgewood The Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting and holiday concert on Thursday, Dec. 3. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. outside I.S. 93, located on Forest Avenue between Madison and Woodbine streets, with the tree lighting ceremony featuring carolers and a visit from Santa Claus. Then the celebration moves inside for a holiday concert featuring the St. Matthias Adult Choir, the I.S. 93 Glee Club, the Men’s and Women’s Gottscheer Choir and pianist Steven Haufe. The Greater Ridgewood Historical Society presents St. Nicholas Day at the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House. Come out to the Onderdonk House, located at 1820 Flushing Ave. on Sunday, Dec. 6, from noon to 4 p.m. for a visit from St. Nicholas and to learn of his legend. There will be holiday treats and sweets, traditional music, crafts for children and a special tree lighting ceremony at 3 p.m. Children are free, adults $5 donation. Woodhaven The Woodhaven Business Improvement District will again sponsor its “Holidays in Woodhaven Weekend,” which kicks off on Dec. 4 with its annual Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting. The ceremony takes place at 6:30 p.m. at Forest Parkway Plaza, located at the corner of Forest Parkway and Jamaica Avenue. Then on Saturday morning, the community will greet Santa Claus in a special way with its annual “Welcome Santa to Woodhaven Parade.” The march begins at 11:30 a.m. from the corner of 96th Street and Jamaica Avenue, then heads west along Jamaica Avenue to Dexter Court. Free goodies and Santa hats will be offered to children. All guests should look for Santa Claus and other costumed characters at both events. Woodside The Woodside Holiday Lighting will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. at Sohncke Square Park, located on 58th Street between Woodside and Roosevelt avenues. Guests will celebrate the lighting of the park’s tree and decorations along Roosevelt and Woodside avenues. The program includes carolers, a holiday greeting from elected officials, hot chocolate and cookies and a visit from Santa Claus. RIDGEWOOD TIMES/Photos by Anthony Giudice Community Board 5 has announced a public meeting on Dec. 2, to discuss the proposed plans for Frank Principe Park.
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