New 1.45 million park opens

Queensbridge kids will have added space to play now that a $1.45 million park - equipped with two multipurpose turf fields, two turf volleyball courts, picnic benches, grills, and pathways - has opened on the East River after one year of renovation work. About one-quarter of the 20-acre park that stretches between Queensborough Plaza and 40th Avenue, and between Vernon Boulevard and the river was revamped, adding to the existing baseball fields, wading pool, playground, and handball courts.
Since the new fields are all turf, wear and tear will be less than that to a grass field, and after rainstorms, the turf fields drain quickly, said Parks Department spokesperson Abby Lootens.
&#8220You don't have to worry about a big muddy field,” Lootens said.
&#8220In recent years, Queensbridge Park has been transformed into a park characterized by a variety of recreational facilities,” said New York City Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe.
Queensbridge Park has been used as the site for outdoor concerts and community events, including &#8220It's my Park! Day,” which was held on Saturday, October 21, and the Astoria/Long Island City Catalyst Project, an ecological program for kids to explore the East River.
In addition, the field will be used by neighborhood little and adult leagues for residents of the Queensbridge Public Housing Development, the largest public housing development in the country. A youth soccer league, set up by Councilmember Eric Gioia, the East River Development Alliance and the Long Island City YMCA, will be in play for 2007.
&#8220Along with our youth baseball and basketball leagues, this new field will provide our city's children with positive, extracurricular activities for the entire year,” said Gioia, who allocated $700,000 for the park.
Gioia, who has made an accessible waterfront one of his biggest goals and announced plans for a 10.6-mile waterfront greenway in January, said that the Park fits into the grand plan of a riverfront park stretching from the Flushing Bay Promenade to the Pulaski Bridge in Brooklyn.
Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and Assemblymember Cathy Nolan also hailed the renovation as an asset to the community.
&#8220When I became Borough President, I began a $60 million investment program to improve local parks across the Borough. Located along the spectacular Queens waterfront, Queensbridge Park serves one of the largest public housing developments in the City and hosts a number of sports leagues and community events,” said Marshall, who allocated $700,000 for the park.
Assemblymember Cathy Nolan also allocated $50,000 for the renovations.