Sunday, August 29, 2010

Parks still building Elmhurst Park

From the Times Newsweekly:

More than a decade ago, while the Elmhurst gas tanks still towered over the neighborhood, it was hard for most people to imagine that the structures would one day be replaced by a park filled with rolling hills and winding paths.

But today, what was once inconceivable to many residents is inching closer toward becoming a reality, as the Parks Department continues its development of the six-acre site located off the corner of Grand Avenue and 79th Street into a passive park long sought by the community.

Currently in the second of three phases, the project is still several months away from completion, as contractors continue to create a playground and install various amenities including sprinkler equipment, lampposts and asphalt pathways.

Though it currently looks more like a construction site than a park, the Parks Department’s Queens commissioner, Dorothy Lewandowski, indicated that a large portion of the $20 million park will be ready and open to the public sometime next year, on budget and near schedule.

10 comments:

georgetheatheist said...

Man, I can't wait for this to open! A grand ribbon-cutting with Helen Marshall in the middle being photographed by her 85G's/per annum lensman Totino. We're so blessed to have Helen Marshall as our Borough President.

Anonymous said...

Do you think Gallagher snd Katz will be there also?

Anonymous said...

Maspeth Mom says...

This 20 acre park needed 3 phases! Last year they planted trees - they died - now they are planting more. A colossal waste of taxpayer money to keep re-doing this park. The neighboorhood needs and wants the park completed already.

Anonymous said...

The Empire State building took less time to complete than this park.

Queens Crapper said...

It's 6 acres. And the Empire State Building was not a city project.

panzer65 said...

These Bloom Bucks inspired condos go up faster..why do the taxpayers have to wait?

Anonymous said...

why do the taxpayers have to wait?


Honest Graft?!?!

Anonymous said...

This 6 acre park needed 3 phases! Last year they planted trees - they died - now they are planting more. A colossal waste of taxpayer money to keep re-doing this park. The neighboorhood needs and wants the park completed already.

This park should have been built last year. Many of these contractors have gotten royally rich, do you think?

Anonymous said...

These are 6 acres for people to feed pigeons. There is no such thing as quiet respites just below the LIE and local construction. It will always be a park of dieing trees and nothing else.

Who will go there? Why?

This will be the place for pols to slap their backs about building pointless unused parks.

Anonymous said...

I really don't understand what's taking so long. It would be nice to have a park in which to walk my dogs that is closer than Juniper Valley Park. It's taking forever. I hope its finished before my dogs die of old age! ...and what's the deal with the squashing of a dog run? Only the Manhattan elite get dog runs? Its only proving Queens is second rate.