Groundbreaking ceremony at Big Bush Park in Woodside. July 25, 2017.
July 25, 2017 By Nathaly Pesantez
Changes are coming to Woodside’s Big Bush Park.
Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mitchell Silver, and other city officials broke ground in a symbolic ceremony at Big Bush Park on 61st and Queens Boulevard today.
A portion of Big Bush Park will be renovated through a $1.8 million project announced late 2015, with the project expected to be completed next year. Construction has already been underway at the park since May.
“We knew this park had to be redone,” Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said at the ceremony. “I’m proud of the work we have done with our councilmembers to upgrade our various parks.
Updates coming to the park include new play equipment for children in the two to five and five to 12 age group, a spray shower area, game tables, LED lighting, and drinking fountains, according to Silver.
A new plaza off the 61st entrance is also underway, along with new trees, shrubs, and benches.
“This is a good day for Woodside,” Van Bramer said. “It’s a good day for the Big Six. The park is going to be state-of-the-art, which is what Woodside and the Big Six deserve.”
The park’s revamping is funded with $1 million from Borough President Katz and $800,000 from Councilmember Van Bramer, according to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Councilman Van Bramer is also looking into a subsequent phase two for the park, which could potentially include removing some handball courts and installing an exercise area for seniors, additional plants, and updated equipment. Plans for phase two will be finalized and announced next year at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Big Bush Park rendered plan.
Revamp began in May
