Press Releases

Park namesake Lt. Michael R. Davidson, who lost his life in the line of duty in 2018, grew up in the adjacent apartment complex

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue yesterday joined New York City Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr., New York City Councilmember Julie Won, members of the Davidson family, and community members to break ground on the new Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground in Sunnyside, Queens. Located at the former site of the privately-owned Phipps Playground, the new public park will feature a firefighter-themed play area for children, a peaceful seating area, a public restroom, and a restored historic outdoor pavilion.

Parks will also install a prominent commemorative flagpole honoring the memory of Lt. Michael R. Davidson, who grew up in the adjacent Phipps Garden Apartments complex and lost his life battling a five-alarm fire in Harlem in 2018.

“Our public spaces reflect our values as a city, and it is an honor to name this new public playground after Lt. Davidson, commemorating his sacrifice and his service to the community,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. "This park will provide New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds with a safe and inviting space to connect with one another and take in the fresh air. Here in the same lot where Lt. Davidson once played as a child, the new memorial flagpole and firefighter-themed play equipment will carry on his legacy for generations to come.”

"Lt. Michael Davidson wasn't just a son of Sunnyside. He was a hero whose legacy of selflessness, service and sacrifice should and will always be remembered in our borough, but especially in the community that raised him," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. "The new Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground will be both a beautiful oasis for Sunnyside families to enjoy, but also an inspiration for future public servants to follow in the footsteps of this hometown hero. Thank you to all our partners for making this day possible."

“This long-awaited park in Sunnyside Gardens commemorates the life and dedicated service of FDNY Lt. Michael R. Davidson. Through our collective advocacy, we will be able to transform a vacant and historic playground into a beautiful, public outdoor space for our children just in time for the warm weather next year,” said New York City Councilmember Julie Won. “Now, our neighbors will have a park within walking distance of their homes. Thank you to our community for helping us to honor a hometown hero with this greenspace.”

The $4.8 million project will transform the lot into a public playground for the entire community. New play equipment for children of all ages will be installed, complete with firefighter-themed play panels to further honor the memory of Lt. Davidson. Parks will also install a spray play area with both vertical and in-ground features so kids can keep cool in the warm summer months.

Upon entering the new park through the expanded entrance, visitors will be greeted by a new commemorative flagpole honoring Lt. Davidson, positioned to be the first thing patrons see. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a peaceful seating area along 39th Avenue. Beneath the historic pavilion, which will undergo a full restoration, Parks will install game tables and picnic tables for community events. Finally, a public restroom will be installed within the existing historic shed so that visitors can enjoy uninterrupted time in the park.

The new playground will be located on the footprint of the former Phipps Playground, which served residents of the nearby Phipps Garden Apartments until the 1990s. In 2007, Phipps sold the property to its former owner, DBH Associated LLC, in 2007 for $1.45 million. The land sat vacant until NYC Parks acquired the property in September 2019. This $4.8 million park construction project is funded by the New York City Council.

Born in Queens, Michael Davidson was a proud New Yorker. The second-generation FDNY firefighter spent his entire 15-year career at Engine Company 69, Ladder 28, the same place his father spent his 26-year career.