July 16, 2012 By Christian Murray
The much-anticipated revamp of Tornsey/Lou Lodati Park is expected to begin within the next two months.
The park will be resurfaced as part of a $1.4 million rehabilitation that will feature a dog run and additional greenery. Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer expects notices to go up within a month notifying residents of the park’s closure for the upgrade.
The revamp of the park, located on Skillman Ave (between 42nd and 43rd), might take up to a year to complete. The job is likely to be done all at once, as opposed to in phases, since the concrete is being lifted and a new hard surface is being put down.
Lines will be drawn on the new surface for a softball diamond, ecuavoli courts (similar to volleyball) and half basketball courts. There will be an area adjacent to the new dog run where there will be more greenery. Van Bramer said better lights will be installed.
Van Bramer and Queens Borough President Helen Marshall both allocated $700,000 each toward the project.
Meanwhile, the first phase of the $1.3 million overhaul of Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Playground is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2013, Van Bramer said. That too is expected to take a year to complete.
However, that project will only take place in the playground area—so the seating area (by 42nd Street) and the basketball courts will not be closed.
The Parks Department’s will increase the size of the playground, providing room for two sets of play areas instead of the one that is there now. There will be one play area for 2-to-5 year olds and another for 5-to-12 year olds.
To make room for the older-children’s play area, some of the seats/benches adjacent to it will be removed. There will be greenery, such as shrubs, separating the playground area from the seating area.
The rainbow sprinkler system will be upgraded and moved closer to the playground entrance at the corner of Greenpoint Ave. and 43rd Street. .A flagpole will be erected in honor of Thomas Noonan, who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor after being killed in Vietnam, nearby.
After the revamp is complete, further upgrades are in the works for Noonan Playground. In the latest city budget, Van Bramer allocated $650,000 to redo the park house and bathroom, as well as upgrade the basketball courts.
