Jan. 27, 2016 By Jackie Strawbridge
Long-awaited upgrades to Astoria Park’s Charybdis Playground took a step toward fruition on Monday, when Council Member Costa Constantinides announced that he plans to fund a renovation project.
Charybdis Playground sits on the Astoria Park waterfront. It is a well loved but aging playground; parents have long been calling for equipment upgrades here.
In his State of the District speech Monday, Constantinides said one of his funding priorities is the renovation of Charybdis Playground. He is currently looking for close to $3 million in funds for this project.
The renovation would include added play equipment, as well as a large new spray shower to accommodate a wide range of ages.
According to the Councilman, the spray shower design would incorporate a wading pool that he said is currently underutilized within the Astoria Park pool complex, similar to a revamp that took place in Crotona Park in the Bronx.
This project is part of a “comprehensive plan for reinvestment in Astoria Park,” Constantinides said. As a part of this reinvestment, he has also committed to funding $1.5 million for landscaping throughout the entire park, stating that “erosion control is desperately needed in several areas,” and $2.4 million for upgrades to the bathrooms and locker rooms in the Astoria Park pool area.
The reinvestment plan also includes a proposal for a $3 million soccer field within the Astoria Park running track.
According to the Councilman’s office, cost estimates for these projects were pinned down through conversations with the Parks Department.
When asked for comment on the Councilman’s proposals, a Parks spokesperson said the agency will continue to discuss with him before making a recommendation.
