Oakland Lake Park’s rejuvenation is finally complete courtesy of the $2.5 million dollar Department of Environmental Protection Bluebelt program.
The nationally acclaimed program which has been treating storm water runoff in Staten Island since the late 1980s manages to prevent the erosion that storm water causes while simultaneously allowing them to perform their task of conveying, storing and filtering storm water.
The renewal that returned Oakland Lake Park, located in Alley Pond Park, to its former picturesque glory, created dozens of acres of wetlands and put hundreds of union workers to work on the 13 acres of the park. This included removing dead foliage, car parts and other debris.
The project restored and repaired the park’s perimeters, lake shoreline, ravines and side slopes, planted thousands of new trees and installed additional storm sewers in the streets near the park to better control storm water runoff and avoid erosion.
New recreational opportunities were also created by this program for park-goers to fully enjoy activities such as fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The steps to improve the water quality of the lake will bring new species and shape the habitat into a dynamic one for birds, fish and plants.
“The entire area will now be greener, ecologically improved, protected from erosion and more hospitable for wildlife to thrive in a more natural environment,” said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.
The almost yearlong preservation project of the last kettle lake in the City of New York (a lake formed by the partial burying of a glacial ice block) is not only something that will be enjoyed today said Jerry Iannece the Chair of Community Board 11 and former president of Bayside Hills Civic Association.
“For generations to come, thousands of our residents will be able to enjoy what we were able to create and save. It is so important that we do everything we can to restore and save these natural areas in NYC. I am proud of the small part I played in it all.”
