2 Queens parks reopen

From NYC Parks:

"The Jackson Heights community has very little green space compared to most neighborhoods, and Travers Park is an extremely heavily used by a very diverse and supportive community. We are grateful the City Council and Mayor Bloomberg allocated almost $2 million to improve the play equipment and expand its features to allow more children to enjoy the park," said Parks Commissioner Benepe. "We added a beautiful leaf and vine spray shower, made the playground ADA compliant, installed a bike rack and new benches, and greened the park through the addition of attractive new plantings."

Also from NYC Parks:

Currently, Parks' Natural Resource Group is restoring Willow Lake so access is limited, pending the project's completion. The restoration project of Willow Lake began in Spring 2009, and includes the removal of phragmites and other invasive plants, amending soil, and planting almost 13,000 native trees, shrubs and wildflowers to improve biodiversity, hydrology, and ecosystem function around the lake. The Willow Lake Reforestation project is being done in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2011.