Astoria Park–Photo: NYC Parks Dept.
Jan. 15, 2017 By Hannah Wulkan
Community members will have the chance to review and provide feedback on the preliminary plans for the $30 million revamp of Astoria Park under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Anchor Park program.
The “Community Report Back” meeting will take place on January 25 at the Bohemian Hall at 29-19 24th Avenue from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., giving community members a chance to hear the Parks Department’s preliminary ideas for the renovation and give their input.
The meeting comes two month after the Parks Department held a community visioning session where the public was able to put forward what they would like to see in the park.
After the November meeting, the Parks Department compiled and analyzed all the suggestions and then determined those that fit within the scope of the capital master plan, according to an email sent to those who participated at the meeting.
The list of items deemed plausible and important were improvements such as the upgrade to the track, the addition of a soccer field, the creation of rain gardens to help manage water runoff, and the addition of lighting in certain areas.
At the meeting, community members will be able to hear more details and provide comments and suggestions.
Children are welcome to participate, and light refreshments will be provided at the meeting.
Last year, de Blasio designated Astoria Park as one of five “Anchor Parks” throughout the city, allocating $30 million to each park for a renovation and upgrade.
When he announced the initiative in August, de Blasio spoke on the importance of community involvement in the process, saying, “We already know what some of the biggest needs are, but we want to hear from the community how to go about it best. There’s a lot that we can alter according to what the community needs and wants.”
