March 8, 2017 By Hannah Wulkan
The Parks Department unveiled a nearly $1.5 million upgrade at Devoy Playground in Forest Park earlier today.
The $1.45 million playground renovation updated the park to be fully ADA accessible and installed all new play equipment. The renovation finished several months ahead of schedule, after breaking ground last June.
“With a new entrance way and a layout that allows wheelchairs to navigate safely between play elements, Joe Devoy Playground has been transformed into a completely accessible space,” said Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski. “Spring is right around the corner, and now kids of all abilities can exercise their imaginations at this new treehouse-themed playground and enjoy the great outdoors in one of Queens’ flagship parks.”
The renovation also added a drinking fountain, additional seating, swings and a tire swing, while preserving popular features such as wood climbing logs and animal sculptures.
The project was fully funded by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and was designed to complement the natural landscape of the park. The new playground is built and colored to resemble a tree house, and the layout took in to account the park’s natural slope with an effort to preserve the existing tree root systems.
“Forest Park is a jewel in our City’s parks system due to its natural beauty and to amenities like DeVoy Playground,” Katz said. “With spring around the corner, the newly renovated DeVoy Playground will make it an even more engaging place for the growing families around Forest Park.”
