Master Plan For Park

In response to recent concerns raised regarding Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, I welcome this opportunity to highlight some of the improvements that Parks & Recreation has and will make in the park. Parks, other city agencies and private organizations have worked closely together, investing more than $421.78 million in the past thirteen years, to preserve and improve Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
Many of these projects have been completed or are underway, but Parks is not done yet. We are creating a Master Plan for the park, conducting studies on various areas, and following through on their findings.
• In partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection, we are reconstructing the Flushing Bay Promenade and constructing a state-of-the-art recreation center at Fowler Avenue, at a total cost of $250 million.
• The Economic Development Corporation, with Parks' help, is restoring Pier II in the Marina. The Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy, with help from Parks and local youth, is doing shoreline restoration along Meadow Lake. In the past month, Parks has cleared the path between the two pedestrian bridges in the Willow Lake area. Parks is also fixing the wooden access bridge for temporary use until repairs that are more permanent can be made, which has funding available.
• Parks is also creating a new modern pool and ice rink, which, at the cost of over $60 million, will be the largest recreation facility ever built in a City park and will replace the World's Fair ice rink and provide a much-needed indoor swimming facility.
• In the past six years, we renovated four of six playgrounds and constructed three new comfort stations.
• In the past ten years, we have planted 3,000 new trees.
• In the past five years, we restored five of the seven soccer fields and added two new ones. This year, we restored a little league baseball field with funding from the Mets.
• We have $1 million allocated to renovate the Unisphere fountain.
• Approximately $4.5 million has been allocated to renovate the 1939 boathouse, as well as over $625,000 to reconstruct the paths around Meadow Lake. With assistance from TASCA, Row New York, and the organizers of the Hong Kong Boat Festival, we continue to raise funds for both projects. There are also two non-profit organizations, Unisphere, Inc. and the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy, that continuously raise funds for projects throughout the park.
During this administration, Parks has sought support, as well as new uses for the New York State Pavilion. Unisphere, Inc. is currently funding a structural evaluation of the interior of the Pavilion tower. Parks is also working with the University of Pennsylvania to stabilize and conserve the Pavilion floor. The work is expected to result in an exhibition at the Queens Museum of Art and lead to greater support for the Pavilion as a whole.
Parks will soon be seeking bids to undertake a detailed structural assessment. Based on past and recent visual inspections, Parks engineers do not believe the structures are in immediate danger but this study will provide a condition assessment and a detailed plan for phased conservation. Parks is also seeking contributions to maintain the overall physical condition and is eager to discuss viable uses for this icon.
We welcome your concerns and invite you to join us by volunteering in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Call us at 718-760-6561 or visit our website at www.nyc.gov/parks.
Dorothy Lewandowski is the Queens Borough Commissioner of Parks & Recreation