Taking a Lot, Giving a Little

Over a year ago, the Queens West Task Force set up a subcommittee to review plans for a 7,000 sq. ft. interim park space, which is to be located at the end of 50th Avenue. Local community organizations were asked to survey their groups' needs and participate in the planning of the space. After reviewing the original Queens West park plan, which was basically another concrete blob, subcommittee members returned to their groups and started sketching new plans.

Since most of the space was for interim use, the subcommittee incorporated many play items that could be later moved to a new location.

The following items will be included in the space: open grassy areas, restrooms, security station, picnic tables, shuffleboard, horseshoes, trees, seating areas (wooden)

The Coalition enjoyed the opportunity to provide technical assistance to the parents group, and found the overall process to be productive. The community has acted in good faith to help Queens West plan an inviting park. We encourage the continuation of the subcommittee meetings, as they provide a productive environment to address the community's concerns. A future meeting should focus on identifying reasonable ways to make the strip-park at Vernon Boulevard and 48th Avenue more inviting to the existing community, the people for whom the space was originally intended.

Queen West has reported that NYS Dept. of Parks and Recreation is considering placing QW open space under their jurisdiction.

Back to The View - Volume 4 Number 1

To contact the Hunters Point Community Coalition
Call or write:

Hunters Point Community Coalition
P.O. Box 1276
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-472-4260

Last Update: June 1997