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July 11, 2016 Staff Report
An official ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the revamp of the basketball and handball courts at Thomas P. Noonan Playground is set to take place tomorrow.
The playground, located at 47th Avenue and 42nd Street, received $200,000 for the upgrades from Mayor Bill de Blasio. The existing basketball and handball courts were reconstructed and new asphalt and benches were also installed. Construction started in November 2015 and was finished in February, according to a parks spokeswoman.
Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and kids from I.S. 125 will gather at the park tomorrow at 11 a.m. to celebrate the playground revamp.
The upgrades complement a $2 million renovation that was completed at the playground in April 2015. That renovation brought new play equipment, additional swings, a toddler area and a new spray shower, as well as a granite memorial to Vietnam veteran Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan Jr.
The playground also includes a plaque honoring four other veterans from the neighborhood.
“Noonan Playground is a hub of our community,” Van Bramer said. “With these modern courts, separate play areas for toddlers and older children, and of course the famous Rainbow Sprinkler, children and families in Sunnyside and Woodside will continue to have a wonderful place to play for years to come.”
While the ribbon cutting will take place tomorrow, the public has had access to the courts since construction was completed, according to the Parks spokeswoman.
The courts remained open during the first phase of renovations, according to Van Bramer’s office.
