By Sadef Ali Kully
Brookville Park in southeast Queens will be receiving a total of $1.6 million for extensive renovations over the next three years, according to elected officials.
State Sen. James Sanders (D-South Ozone Park) and City Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) secured the funds to improve the look and additional recreational uses for the park in Rosedale
Sanders had previously obtained $1 million for the park and recently Richards acquired an additional $600,000 in funds, bringing the total to $1.6 million over a period of three years.
“Brookville Park has long been a neglected park and people come from all over to utilize the park and its services,” said Richards.
Richards said that two key projects were to add bleachers for parents who have children playing in local sports teams such as the Rosedale Jets football team and to beautify the entrance to the park so it can appear more welcoming for park patrons.
“There is a lot more that needs to be done there,” Richards said. “And it would need a sizable investment to bring the park up to date.”
The secured funding will bring in additional bleachers seats, new sports lighting around the tennis courts, shade trees for the picnic area and walkway, a wider walkway for wheelchair accessibility and other amenities for parkgoers.
Brookville Park is known as a favorite stop on the Atlantic Flyway, a migratory path for millions of birds, butterflies, bats and dragonflies between Florida and Nova Scotia, according to the NYC Parks and Recreation department. Depending on the season park-goers can spot hundreds of varied bird species such as warblers, flycatchers, swallows, orioles as well as ruddy ducks, black ducks, snow geese, tundra swans, Canada geese, and Atlantic brants are all common visitors. Birds of prey, such as peregrines, golden eagles, northern harriers, osprey, sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, and northern goshawks are also frequently seen in the park.
Reach Reporter Sadef Ali Kully by e-mail at skull
