The overcast skies and light drizzle couldn’t put a damper on the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-renovated Athens Square Park in Astoria.
Located on 30th Avenue and 30th Street, the park, which was built over 30 years ago, reopened on Friday, July 23 after a $1.5 million renovation. Parents and children heard speeches from several city officials including New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Councilmember Peter Vallone.
“Most New Yorkers don’t have backyards so having safe, clean parks defines their quality of life,” said Benepe.
Since Astoria has one of the highest number of Greek residents anywhere outside of the European nation, the park includes many Greek influences. Blue and orange aspects of the park represent the blue seas and skies and the terracotta roofs of Athens. Statues of Greek philosophers, including Plato and Aristotle, can be found in the park, in addition to some of their most famous play-related quotes engraved into the sidewalk at a water-play area. Greek and American flags are also displayed side-by-side near the playground.
“It was always intended to be Greek themed, and we’re expanding that today,” said Vallone.
Everyone was thankful for Vallone, who allocated $1.5 million of capital funds to the park renovation. Vallone’s father, Peter Vallone Sr., helped build the park as a Councilmember more than 30 years ago.
“I think having these spaces for the city kids is one of the most important things for these kids,” said Kristen Blackburn, an Astoria mother of two children, ages three and one.
Borough President Helen Marshall has also allocated $600,000 to construct a fence and comfort station, with another $800,000 coming later this fiscal year, for a total of $1.4 million. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has allocated more than $5 billion to parks in the past eight years, making this the biggest park expansion period since the1930s.
“I think it’s fun for the kids. They enjoy it and have a good time, said Vanessa Martin, a camp counselor at the park with a group of kids. “They need somewhere safe and fun to play.”
