Flushing residents have a brand new playground to enjoy.
On June 4, local elected officials, community partners and students and faculty from J.H.S. 189 and the Flushing International School celebrated the unveiling of a new $1 million playground. Located on the rooftop area of the school, the park will be open to the entire Flushing community during after-school hours and on the weekends.
The new playground’s layout includes an artificial turf field, running track, handball wall, green-roof gazebo, outdoor classroom and garden. The design also features city Department of Environmental Protection-designed green infrastructure, which will capture 700,000 gallons of stormwater per year and improve the health of Flushing Creek, according to the city agency.
“Our new playground will support our campus community to better serve our children in both our day school and after school health and wellness programs,” J.H.S. 189 principal Madelin Radovich and Flushing International School principal Lara Evangelista said in a co-statement. “It will also support our efforts in building a stronger partnership with our greater Flushing community neighbors.”
Students at both schools were involved in the planning, design and budgetary process for the playground. The experience provided hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and math.
The playground was funded by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz’s office, Councilman Peter Koo, the MetLife Foundation and supporters of The Trust for Public Land.
“Queens is pleased to unveil the much anticipated upgrades to J.H.S. 189 and Flushing International School’s new, state-of-the-art, student-designed green playground,” Katz said. “Thanks to the partnership with Councilmember Peter Koo, the Trust for Public Land and the Met Life Foundation, the growing families of Flushing will be able to thrive in this innovative playground.”
