Hallets Cove Playground

NYC PARKS BREAKS GROUND ON HALLETS COVE PLAYGROUND RECONSTRUCTION

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, City Council Member Costa Constantinides, Community Board 1 District Manager Florence Koulouris, Astoria Houses Tenants Association President Claudia Coger and community members to break ground on the redesigned Hallets Cove Playground. The $2.2 million project was funded by $673,000 from Mayor Bill de Blasio, $210,000 from City Council, and $1.3 million from Borough President Melinda Katz.

“Hallets Cove Playground is being completely reimagined with enhanced access to outdoor play,” said Commissioner Silver. “With new play equipment, seating, and entryways, the project is a remarkable investment in this waterfront neighborhood resource.”

“This reconstruction will bring new play equipment, improved entry and seating areas and many other desirable amenities to Hallets Cove Playground that will make it an even more enjoyable place to visit,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “The reimagined Hallets Cove Playground, with its breathtaking waterfront views, will be a valuable public space for decades to come and help make Hallets Cove a great place to live and raise a family.”

“I am so excited to see work begin on a new Hallets Cove Playground,” said Council Member Costa Constantinides. “Renovations will reflect the needs of a community long overdue for new, constructive park space. Together, the Astoria community has secured $26 million since we took office in 2014 to improve life for those who live on the Hallets Cove Peninsula. Thanks to the Parks Department and Borough President Katz for your partnership in making today happen.”

The Hallets Cove Playground project will completely redesign the playground with new play equipment and safety surfacing, water spray features, site furnishings, planting beds, fencing, and pavements. The project will also add entry and seating areas at both the sidewalk level and the waterfront promenade. A new ADA ramp will welcome visitors from the sidewalk level into the playground. Work began in February 2019 and this project is anticipated to be completed in winter 2020.

This project is one of several improvements currently underway in Hallets Cove Park. A reconstruction of the asphalt multipurpose sports field, with new adult fitness equipment, asphalt pavement, color seal coating, benches and plantings is in procurement. A separate project to reconstruct and repair segments of the concrete seawall is also in procurement.

Adjacent to Astoria Landing, Hallets Cove is home to one of the best views of any playground in New York City. The playground sits on the land for NYCHA’s Astoria Houses, which were completed in 1951. From this playground, kids can enjoy the climbable play equipment or play half-court basketball or baseball in the asphalt yard. Adults can relax on the nearby benches, and look out over Hallets Cove towards the Manhattan skyline.