By Tom Momberg
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) presented $150,000 in state grant money to the city Department of Parks and Recreation last Friday for the construction of an asphalt running track around Glen Oaks Oval Park.
The track was an idea brought to Avella by Glen Oaks Village President Bob Friedrich last year to provide an inexpensive means for area residents of all ages to exercise.
Neither a groundbreaking nor completion date have been announced for the project in the park at the intersection of 260th Street and 74th Avenue, but once finished it will include exercise stations and additional features fitting within the park’s assets, Avella said.
“The Glen Oaks Oval is within walking distance of many families,” Avella said in a statement. “Seniors, who often lack the opportunity to get the exercise they need, will have a place to improve their health and bring their grandchildren to play. It is overall a fantastic idea. I’m proud to have secured funding for such a great project.”
Glen Oaks Oval rests at the center of Glen Oaks Village, home to about 3,000 families, Friedrich said.
The park was constructed in memory of Jerry Tenney, a community leader who contributed to the development of Glen Oaks Village. The park is already the site of a playground and baseball fields.
