Last week, letter writer Benjamin Haber took issue with Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe over Flushing Meadows' use. In an earlier edition, Benepe noted that the city has spent over $422 million on the park over the past 13 years.
Haber argues that the money has been spent on structures that “do not belong in an urban park,” like Shea Stadium. We disagree. Other borough parkland is available for picnicking and what Haber calls the pleasure of “passive use.” Flushing Meadows has served a different purpose, including hosting two Olympics.
Families can still picnic and hundreds play soccer there. They also come for the Mets, tennis or science museum.
An urban park has many purposes. Flushing Meadows is a treasure used by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers yearly. As long as Queens families enjoy it, it is serving a purpose.
