Big Bush Playground

The Daily Plant : Monday, October 5, 2015

Design Plans Revealed For $1.8 Million Renovation To Woodside’s Big Bush Park

Daniel Avila

On Friday, October 2, 2015, Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski joined Borough President Melinda Katz and Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer to unveil the design for a $1.8 million renovation of Woodside’s Big Bush Park. Due to inclement weather, the event was held indoors at the Big Six Community Center.

“NYC Parks has made it our mission to ensure that every neighborhood has access to high-quality parks, but we can’t do it alone,” said Commissioner Lewandowski. “Big Bush Park is a great example of community-led design in action, and we look forward to opening a new and improved space that reflects their vision. We’re thankful for the Borough President and Council Member’s support in creating a more equitable parks system, and for their dedication to Queens’ neighborhood parks.”

The goal of this project is to reconstruct the paved areas in the north end of the park to better accommodate both active play and passive recreation, and to increase the amount of green, permeable surface area in the park.

The community was actively involved in shaping this project, and the scope of renovations will directly address their requests for additional planting areas, activities for a variety of park users, play swings for tots, a new spray shower in a sunny location, new drinking fountain, upgraded seating and game tables, adult exercise equipment, rejuvenated lighting, and greenery. A new central circulation path will run north of the play areas from 64th Street entrance to 61st Street, and an entry plaza off 61st Street will invite pedestrians to linger in the shade on benches and at game tables.

The project is funded with $1 million from Borough President Katz and $800,000 from Council Member Van Bramer. Construction is anticipated to begin in Fall 2016.

NYC PARKS COMMISSIONER JOINS BROOKLYN RECREATION CENTER

On Friday, October 2, 2015, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, joined the St. John’s Recreation Center in Brooklyn during his visit to announce the borough’s first ever Senior Olympics, which will take place in May of 2016.