By Juan Soto
Capt. George Tilly would be proud of the construction underway at the Jamaica Hills park that bears his name.
The city Parks Department began a $2.4 million project to remove the invasive species in the northern area of the public park that are eroding the area.
This renovation is the first one in the park since 1998.
The work, which is being executed in two phases, will replace the foreign flora with native plants that will mitigate erosion at the green space located at Highland Avenue between 165th Street and Chapin Parkway.
Hard hats will also repave the pathways of the 9-acre park and enhance the drainage.
“The first phase of the renovation will increase the biodiversity and ecological richness of Captain Tilly Park, while also addressing the park’s drainage and erosion issues,” said Dorothy Lewandowski, Queens Parks commissioner.
The first phase, with a $1.2 million budget, will be complete in approximately one year.
City Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) was pleased to see construction began at the park, which is named for the Jamaica family son killed while fighting in the Philippines in 1899.
“Properly removing and replacing the invasive plant species and preventing erosion into Goose Pond is the foundation for a lively, healthy park,” he said.
Goose Pond and the wooded land make up Captain Tilly Park. The area was owned by the Highland Park Society, a group of Jamaica farmers who raise ducks and geese there.
At the turn of the 20th century, the landowners sold the land to the city for $1 and insisted the site only be used as a park.
In 1935, city officials renamed the park after Tilly to honor his memory. The park’s original name was Highland Park, and before it became Captain Tilly Park, it was also known as Upland Park.
Tilly, who was stationed at Lloili in the Philippines, was killed when he was dispatched to the Isle de Negros to repair a damaged telegraph cable.
Lewandowski thanked the City Council for allocating money to reconstruct the landscaped areas and drainage structures at the park.
“We are looking forward to opening a greener and greater park,” she said.
The second phase of the renovation at Captain Tilly, which will cost another $1.2 million, will renovate the plaza area and the surrounding landscape adjacent to the Tilly memorial. Work will include the installation of new asphalt pathways, fencing, granite pavement, benches, drainage and lighting.
The Parks Department said it estimates work on the second phase will begin sometime next fall.
Reach reporter Juan Soto by e-mail at jsoto@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.
