Monday, November 17, 2008

Flushing Meadows to get complete overhaul

City parks officials are poised to unveil a sweeping new blueprint for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Tuesday.

The plan envisions replacing swaths of concrete with green lawns, opening up the waterways and improving access from surrounding neighborhoods.

Under the new master plan, several of its most prominent structures from the 1964-65 fair, including the Unisphere and the New York State Pavilion, would be preserved and maintained.

But Benepe said some other fair remnants may have to go.

"There are some very large pathways designed for people to walk from one exhibit to another," Benepe said. "They are essentially pathways to nowhere.

"We can eliminate some of the unnecessary asphalt and make the park greener."

One proposal would raze the Fountain of the Planets to create an open green space - similar to the Great Lawn in Central Park and Long Meadow in Prospect Park - that could be used for large gatherings.


Sweeping makeover for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Uh ohhhh.
Normally, I would be estatic about this news. But this is Queens, and I have grown weary about any project our elected officials take on to "spruce up" the boro.

Kevin Walsh said...

>>>similar to the Great Lawn in Central Park and Long Meadow in Prospect Park - that could be used for large gatherings.<<<

Except, apparently, political protests.

But sure, lose the Fountain of the Planets; it is the world's largest petri dish for algae.

www.forgotten-ny.com

Anonymous said...

Where were they get the money?

Flushing Meadows has long been a sinkhole for cash. Who will monitor this?

Anonymous said...

Proposals for daylighting the Flushing River were thought up long ago, hopefully they'll be included in Benepe's plan. I also hope Benepe's plan includes the restoration of the NYS Pavilion.

Click on my name for a link to the river's history

Queens Crapper said...

According to the article, restoration of the NYSP is part of the plan.

Anonymous said...

I'll believe it when I see it.

Anonymous said...

Make way for the parking lot of the new Wilpon soccer stadium. Everyone has an agenda. I wonder what mitigation tactics will be used. Sorry but this has a scent to it!

georgetheatheist said...

Sergey, fabulous thorough tour of the topic! I learned alot, m'boy. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Thanks George. For more details on daylighting this stream, talk to Paul Graziano.

Anonymous said...

Do we have money for this? I thought the city was strapped for cash, hence all the extra new taxes for us.

Anonymous said...

I dont beleive anything Benepe says. This is from the same people that told us "birdshit" rotted the tower steps and it cost $20,000 to change a beacon lamp.
Meanwile many people have been up there and have photos to proove it. !

I think this is all lip service from the beating these city polititions got over the NYSP fiasco.
On guy was almost fired because people snuck in to take photos of damaged map panels tossed on the ground.
All hell broke loose when Queens Crap and a news article make's them look like asshats !!.

They have since placed a fence around the thing so people can take photos.
2 climb in and take the stairs up to the old VIP deck.
(Yes you can do it with a simple safty rope, and there is no birdshit)

-Joe

Anonymous said...

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$??????

Anonymous said...

do we really need this ?

Anonymous said...

Images of the Flushing River's history can also be found here:

http://nycgovparks.org/parks/fmcp