NYC Parks celebrated the grand opening of Nameoke Playground today, a project born from the Downtown Far Rockaway rezoning effort, a long-term initiative launched in 2015 to revitalize the area by enhancing economic opportunities and improving residents’ quality of life.
Local officials and community leaders gathered at the park located between Brunswick and Augustina Avenues to mark the occasion, unveiling a new space designed for families and residents of all ages.
“This is an exciting day for Rockaway,” said NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Jacqueline Langsam. “The new Nameoke Park offers a beautiful space with playground equipment, water features for summer days, and a fitness area. Parks like these are vital, providing places for relaxation, greenspace, and a sense of community.”
The project, spearheaded by the community’s advocacy, includes play areas for children aged 2 to 12, a spray shower to help park-goers cool off during the summer, and new tree plantings to enhance the park’s natural beauty. Fitness equipment was also added to cater to all ages.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., who played a key role in securing the $6 million needed for the park through the Downtown Far Rockaway rezoning, expressed his pride in seeing the vision come to life.
“This community has deserved a park like this for so long,” said Richards. “It’s an honor to cut the ribbon today and give Far Rockaway families a space to call their own. I hope everyone who uses this park enjoys it to the fullest.”
Local community board members were also on hand to witness the transformation. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Community Board 14 member Felecia Johnson. “This park will be a hub for our neighborhood, and it’s exciting to see what it means for our future.”
In 2015, the Department of Sanitation demolished a deteriorated building on the site. With no other parks within a quarter-mile radius, the Far Rockaway community strongly advocated for the creation of the neighborhood park. Their efforts led to the inclusion of Nameoke Park in the Downtown Far Rockaway rezoning, approved in 2017.
In addition to its current amenities, a restroom facility is planned for construction with a project completion date of March 2026.
The new Nameoke Playground is the latest development in the ongoing effort to revitalize Far Rockaway, creating spaces that serve and reflect the community’s needs.
