Locals: Spotlight On Park Will Benefit Entire City

The influence of the newly secured Shea Stadium deal reaches far beyond the Mets, their fans, and those New Yorkers looking to land the 2012 bid for the Olympic games.
With the support of Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg, this deal aims to bring one of the biggest events New York has ever seen right to our backyard.
“Returning the spotlight to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park — the site of two World’s Fairs and the original home of the United Nations — carries even more significance and an opportunity for the world to discover the uniquely diverse cultural institutions and people of Queens,” said David Strauss, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for the Queens Museum of Art.
Local establishments like the museum or the New York Hall of Science, which have been a part of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park for more than 30 years, undoubtedly will be affected by the project.
Most park establishments seem to share the same sentiment as Strauss — that the plans for the new stadium will bring added jobs, money and attention to the park and Willets Point.
“Anything that makes use of the existing footprints of Shea Stadium and improves the Willets Point area is good for Queens,” said Dr. Alan Freedman, Director of the Hall of Science.
“The Olympics is a tremendous idea for New York City,’ commented Mark Gelfand, General Manager of Terrace on the Park. “Anything that is going to add to the area is good for everyone.”
“The idea of welcoming the world to the NYC2012 Olympics at a stadium situated in the borough that truly embodies the international spirit of the games is both exciting and very fitting,” Strauss added.
The park itself, a long time staple in the Queens community, has served as a venue for large scale events like the U.S. Open and the World’s Fair and has been home to the New York Mets since 1964.
The 1,225 acre park, located adjacent to three major highways, has seen a lot since its creation over 70 years ago.
This would just be the next step.
melissa@queenscourier.com