By Howard Koplowitz
Elected officials, civic leaders and city Parks Department officials helped cut the ribbon earlier this month on $750,000 in renovations to the Juniper South Playground.
The project, funded by Borough President Helen Marshall, brought two slides, a variety of climbing equipment, a sitting area and a spray shower to the playground.
The new spray shower is designed to look like a pond with shower heads in the shape of cattails and a dragonfly perched on a read, and depictions of Mallard ducks swimming in the water.
“Juniper Valley Park is one of the jewels of the Queens parks system,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “This new playground features the latest in 21st-century playground design, with eco-friendly stormwater capture, challenging climbing equipment and a wetland-themed spray shower that reflects the site’s history as a former swamp. We are grateful to Borough President Helen Marshall for her generous allocation that allowed us to renovate this playground, and her staunch support for parks throughout Queens.”
Marshall said the playground was designed for children ages 5 through 12.
“It has been my pleasure to work with Queens Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski and her staff to provide new improvements to our more than 400 parks, playgrounds, triangles and malls throughout the borough,” she said.
City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) said she appreciated the support the park has received.
“Juniper Valley Park was my local playground as a child, and it continues to improve with each passing year,” she said. “Children can now play on the new slides in an impressive design that captures the historical significance of this area’s past as a former swampland. As an added bonus, the playground is eco-friendly and built to be sustainable for future generations.”
The $750,000 upgrade comes a year after $933,000 in renovations were made to the park that was funded by Crowley and Mayor Michael Bloomberg that added play equipment designed for younger children.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
