By Gina Martinez
A Forest Park playground got an early makeover.
Borough President Melinda Katz was joined by Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Maspeth) and Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski at a ribbon cutting for the renovated Joseph DeVoy Playground in Forest Park Monday. The playground got a $1.45 million upgrade designed to be sensitive to the park’s sloping terrain and preserve the tree root systems, the Park Department said.
The new playground equipment resembles old-fashioned treehouses and is colored in earth tones, a tribute to the nearby forest. New equipment includes steel drums, a drinking fountain, additional seating, a new tire swing, and accessible swings. Wood climbing logs and animal sculptures were preserved at the request of the community.
Lewandowski said the new playground design makes it handicap-accessible.
“With a new entranceway and a layout that allows wheelchairs to navigate safely between play elements, Joe Devoy Playground has been transformed into a completely accessible space,” she said. “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.”
Work on the playground began in June 2016 and was finished a few months ahead of schedule. Funding was made possible by the Queens Borough President’s Office.
“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. NYC Parks deserves to be commended for completing this upgrade months ahead of schedule.”
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
