Clove Lakes Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, April 23, 2001

PLAYGROUND FOR ALL CHILDREN RENEWED

In 1974, the City of New York set aside $100,000 from its first Federal Community Development Block Grant to design a playground for disabled children. It was to be the first playground in the nation designed for use by both disabled and able-bodied children. Parks and the Department of City Planning sponsored a design competition to search the ranks of architects for an inventive solution to the unique design problems posed by a "playground for all children."

Architects Hisham Nasrat Ashkouri and James Charnisky won the competition for a playground to be located in the southwest of Flushing Meadows Corona Park at 111th Street and Corona Avenue in Queens. Construction on their design began in 1980. This year, Queens Borough President, Claire (Queens Bee) Shulman committed $2.9 million for the reconstruction of that playground to comply with updated safety and accessibility standards. Capital just named the design for that reconstruction Project of the Week.

The scope of the reconstruction includes a seven foot ramped play unit, activity stations, slides, climbers, swings, exercise equipment at wheelchair height, a newly designed water play area with in-ground water sprays and a water curtain. The ground will be designed with decorative pavers, and three murals will brighten up the walls. A play village, with structures large enough for wheelchairs, will invite children to create imaginative simulations in its playhouse, firehouse, and school, its school buses and fire trucks. The playground will also feature a musical walkway engraved with a musical staff and notes. When children tap the musical play pieces they'll produce music. The tables there will be drums, the walls will chime, and a xylophone will run along the ground. The musical features of the park will be particularly helpful in orienting blind children to their surroundings. Swings with back supports will accommodate those children who cannot sit up, and a glider swing will accommodate wheelchairs.

Project Manager Claire Dudley designed the reconstruction. Susan Coker completed the specifications and estimates, and Oliver (Twist) Corwin created the artwork. Chris (Snowcat) Crowley, Bill (Osprey) Gotthelf, and Bernadette Grullon assisted with the contract drawings. Construction of the redesign is expected to begin at the end of this summer.

For more information check out the Capital Project of the month

STATEN ISLAND'S EASTER BASH

Staten Islanders celebrated Easter in Clove Lakes Park on April 7, 2001. Parks, the 123rd Precinct, and the Staten Island Savings Bank entertained over 1,000 guests at a festival that included egg hunts and a competitive egg roll, a live DJ, and special appearances by the Easter Bunny, Rugrats, and a few live animals. Parkies pitched in, passing out chocolate eggs, whipping up cotton candy, and shooting family photos. Volunteers from the 123rd precinct distributed hot dogs and painted the faces of park visitors. Thanks to the generous donations of local merchants, every youngster left the park with a souvenir in hand.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Monday, April 25, 1988)

PARKS COUNCIL HONORS PHILANTHROPISTS MARY LASKER AND LAWRENCE WEIN

A gala dinner dance was held last Tuesday night at the Grand Ballroom of the Pierre Hotel for the 1988 recipients of the Parks Council Award, Mary Lasker and Lawrence Wein, who were honored for their outstanding philanthropic contributions.

Established in 1926, the Parks Council is an association of New Yorkers dedicated to the protection, development, and enhancement of New York City's parks, open spaces and waterfront for the use and enjoyment of the public.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"And the jocund rebecks sound
To many a youth and many a maid,
Dancing in the checkered shade.
And young and old come forth to play
On a sunshine holiday."

John Milton (1608-1674)