By Patrick Donachie
The schoolyard at Public School 133, along with the neighboring Bellerose Playground, will undergo repairs and improvements with funding allocated by Borough President Melinda Katz and Councilman Barry Grodenchik (D-Oakland Gardens).
“Much needed repairs to PS 133 schoolyard and the adjacent Bellerose Playground are now fully funded and on their way to fruition,” Katz said at a news conference held Nov. 10. “Thanks to capital investment of public dollars, the children and families of Bellerose can look forward to an upgraded schoolyard and playground.”
In the most recent New York City budget, Katz allocated more than $2.3 million and Grodenchik allocated $1.1 million for the playground and yard at the school, which is located at 248-5 86th Ave., with the combined total fully funding the necessary repairs. Grodenchik said that Mark S. Weprin, the district’s previous council member, allocated $800,000 for renovations previously, and that the schoolyard and playground required the repairs for years.
“The state of the Bellerose playground and PS 133Q was brought to my attention last summer. The schoolyard and playground have been in need of repair for years, and I thank my predecessor Mark S. Weprin for starting the process of designating the necessary funding,” Grodenchik said at the press conference. “This is a huge win for the community, and I look forward to working with the local residents in determining what needs to be done to beautify this schoolyard and playground.”
In addition to Katz and Grodenchik, Joanne Amagrande, the chief of staff for the Queens Borough Parks commissioner, along with representatives from PS 133 and local civic groups attended the press conference announcing the funding. Grodenchik said he would soon reveal the details regarding a to-be-scheduled public visioning meeting that would include representatives from the School Construction Authority and the New York City Parks Department.
The meeting would offer an opportunity for the community to offer input about how the designs for the park and playground can go forward.
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
