Unveil master plan to make park greener

Under a recently revealed “conceptual master plan,” Flushing Meadows-Corona Park may become greener.
One of the busiest parks in the city, according to Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, the master plan would address “the main problem of the park - the fact that it was primarily built as fair grounds” for the two World’s Fairs held there.
“You have roads leading to exhibits that are no longer there,” he said.
Benepe went on to explain that the so-called “master plan” is a “series of suggestions . . . like a discussion document . . . that would require further research,” and that it may change.
Funded by a grant from the JM Kaplan Fund — and developed by the landscape/architectural firm Quennell Rothschild & Partners, LLP and Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects - the master plan has “gotten great feedback” from Borough President Helen Marshall, local Community Boards, individuals, and even the cultural institutions located within the park.
“Often when plans like this are developed there is dissension someplace,” said Benepe. “But this got broad-based support. There was a surprisingly warm reception. It is visionary without being pie-in-the-sky.”
Some of the plan’s suggestions include improving access to the nearly 1,300-acre park for the surrounding communities; “covering over” the Fountain of the Planets; “daylighting” (uncovering) Flushing Creek as it runs between Meadow Lake and the river itself; environmentally and ecologically restoring Meadow and Willow Lakes (dredging, restoring natural boundaries and improving ecology); and reducing 60 percent of the park’s asphalt.
Benepe said the Unisphere and the New York State Pavilion would remain.
Though there is no timeframe for the work to begin, Benepe told The Queens Courier that “early action” improvements would cost between $60 and $80 million; the project as a whole would cost about $200 million.
Monies have yet to be allocated, which, he conceded, is “tough to do in these economic times.”
“Master plans are extremely valuable documents for jumpstarting projects like these,” said Benepe. “It is a good guiding document for all future development.”
It will now be shown to the elected officials who represent the areas surrounding the park.