L/CPL Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Playground

$2 Million Renovation Brings Accessible Play Equipment to Sunnyside Playground

Tuesday, April 14, 2015
No. 21
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan Playground gets upgraded equipment to make the area accessible for kids of all abilities

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver FAICP today joined Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, State Senator Michael Gianaris and Chairperson of Community Board 2 Pat O’Brien to reopen Lance Corporal (L/CPL) Thomas P. Noonan Playground after a $2 million renovation, funded by the Council Member. The playground has been upgraded with accessible play equipment that kids of all abilities can enjoy, more swings, a toddler area and a new spray shower. The flagpole has been refurbished with new granite slabs honoring Lance Corporal Noonan.

“We are thrilled to cut the ribbon today on a new and improved Noonan Playground,” said Commissioner Silver. “Just in time for spring, kids of all abilities will be able to enjoy more swings, a separate area for toddlers, and new spray showers. "This play space is sure to be a popular destination in Sunnyside.”

“The improvements to Noonan Playground are a perfect example of our community coming together and developing a project for all residents can enjoy,” said Council Member Van Bramer. “With the $2 million I allocated to the renovations of the park we have enhanced this popular community hub for the residents of Sunnyside and Woodside. Between new plantings, additional play equipment, a new and improved Rainbow sprinkler as well as a one-of-a-kind historic memorial for our local veterans we have solidified Noonan Playground as one of the borough’s top destinations to spend an afternoon with the family.”

“I am thrilled that Sunnysiders will get to enjoy the new and improved Thomas P. Noonan playground ahead of schedule, and just in time for spring,” said Senator Gianaris. “This park is not only a monument to veterans and a Sunnyside hero, but also an escape from city life that provides local children with the open space they desperately need. I thank Councilman Van Bramer and NYC Parks for making this happen so quickly.”

The goal of this project was to create a separate children’s play area, improve safety within the park, and provide definitive circulation for park users. The project also extended the green space within the park, enhanced its main entrance, and addressed drainage issues throughout the site.

An additional $200,000 in funding from Mayor de Blasio is being used to reconstruct the site’s handball and basketball courts, with work expected to begin this fall.

L/CPL Noonan Playground was named after Thomas P. Noonan Jr. because of his heroic actions of rescuing wounded soldiers in the face of harrowing danger during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze starts, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

The playground was last renovated in May 2000 when modular play equipment, safety surfacing, a spray shower, a sitting area, new tree and shrub plantings, and a new fence with an eagle medallion were added.