It was a great day to skate in Queens.
The newly redone London Plane Tree Park, on the border of Woodhaven and Ozone Park, opened on Sunday with a ribbon cutting by officials and skateboarders.
The $1.6 million project, which started about a year ago, included full renovations, more greenery and exercise equipment around the park.
“It’s a great design,” said Assemblymember Mike Miller. “It’s a lot of green space that’s good for other people who just want to come and sit. It’s a great day.”
Borough President Helen Marshall allocated $1 million toward the project, with Councilmember Eric Ulrich pitching in the additional $600,000.
Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik, who is also Marshall’s Parks liaison, credited the beep’s work in helping to make the city’s parks some of the best.
“The borough president has done her share and I like to think she has done more than her share,” he said. “She has allocated over $183 million to the parks. We are delighted to work very closely with parks to make sure things happen on a timely basis.”
Ulrich said while the project was three years in the making, people in the neighborhood had wanted something better for London Plane Tree for quite some time.
“There really wasn’t a full utilization of this space,” he said. “Many of the children and the young adults who enjoy skateboarding were forced to play in the Pathmark parking lot, much to the dissatisfaction of the people on 95th Avenue.”
Community Board 9 Chair Jim Coccovillo touted what parks can do not just for skateboarders, but the whole community.
“Be safe, that’s what the park is here for,” he said. “You meet people, you make lifetime friends. And with that, you keep the community solid and safe.”
Community Board 9 chair Jim Coccovillo, Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, Councilmember Eric Ulrich, Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik, Assemblymember Mike Miller and Community Board 9 Parks Committee chair Richard Smith cut the ribbon on the revamped London Plane Tree Park.
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