By Naeisha Rose
It was a balmy Monday morning for a ribbon-cutting at St. Albans Park.
As elected officials and the park commissioners for Queens and the city stood in the nearly 80 degree weather shaded by tall trees surrounded by the $1 million in renovations to the area kids were too busy enjoying the facilities.
Funding for the park, located between Marne Place and Adelaide Road, came from the mayor’s office, City Council, and the Queens borough president.
The face-lift for the park included reconstruction of play equipment, new safety surfacing, new furniture, updated lighting, drinking fountains, fences, pavements and a garden area, according to city Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver.
“This is just a microcosm of what we hope parks throughout the city could be,” said Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D. St. Albans) as he looked over at people exercising in the adult fitness track. “This will enhance the quality of life not just for our young people, but our seniors.”
Terrence Bryan, 7, enjoyed playing tag through the 10.79 acres of park space so much he wanted to forego going back to school.
“I’d rather be at the park all day,” Terence said.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz watched, as the kids jumped around in the updated park space.
“St. Albans is a community where a lot of families come here to raise their kids,” Katz said. “We have a public space where kids can play and just be kids, which is important.”
Other supporters of the park renovation included Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, Community Board 12 District Manager Yvonne Reddick, former Councilman Archie Spigner, and state Assembly members Alicia Hyndman (D-Springfield Gardens) and Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans).
“We are going to keep this park pristine for community events so that we can all enjoy it,” Comrie said. “I’m proud to be a part of this process.”
Assemblywoman Hyndman appreciated the beautiful weather so much she was not ready to head back to her office.
“I would like to stay here all day,” Hyndman said.
She thanked former Councilman Archie Spigner (D-St. Albans), who last renovated the park back in 2001, and former Parks Assistant Edward Lewis for laying the groundwork back then.
“With each new elected official, this community will become better and stronger,” Hyndman said.
Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose
