Louis C. Moser Playground

NYC PARKS COMPLETES $1.87 MILLION RENOVATION OF LOUIS C. MOSER PLAYGROUND IN JACKSON HEIGHTS

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined Council Member Costa Constantinides, Assembly Member Michael DenDekker, and Community Board 3 District Manager Giovanna Reid to cut the ribbon on Louis C. Moser Playground after a $1.87 million renovation. Family members of Louis C. Moser, including his daughters Lorraine Newman Moser, and Merle Payne also spoke at the celebration.

“The new playground in Moser Park now features two play areas, a fun spray shower feature, game tables, and improved infrastructure,” said Commissioner Silver. “We’re very proud to have completed this project on time, and we are thankful to Council Member Constantinides for his support to make it happen.”

“Louis C. Moser’s legacy lives on with this beautifully redone park, work for which I was proud during my first term in office,” said Council Member Costa Constantinides, District 22. “Jackson Heights families will be able to enjoy its new amenities in a beautiful setting. This is what Louis C. Moser advocated so fiercely for, so we are now paying tribute to that labor of love. I want to thank the Mayor’s Office, the Parks Department for their partnership on this project, which will greatly serve the area.”

The $1.87 million renovation was funded by the City Council ($1.37 million) and Mayor de Blasio ($500,000). Work included the installation of two new sets of play equipment and swings for kids aged 2-5 and 5-12, a spray shower, and adult fitness elements. New furnishings including game tables and picnic tables were added, as well as new drinking fountains. The park’s drainage and underground water supply system was also reconstructed; new pavement was laid to eliminate trip hazards; and fencing and new plantings complete the site. Construction began in September 2017, and was completed in September 2018.

Moser Park was named to honor the achievements of Jackson Heights community activist Louis C. Moser (1904-1983). Moser is best remembered for the creation of the North Queens Home Owners’ Civic Association, founded in 1941 with only ten families. The group focused its efforts on preserving the residential character of northern Queens by preventing over-development and defending the rights and interests of homeowners. Moser also promoted both pedestrian and motorist safety in Jackson Heights; he successfully petitioned for the installation of safety lighting on sidewalks and traffic lights in his community. By the time of Moser’s death, 700 families belonged to the North Queens Homeowners Civic Association. Throughout his 42 years of civic service, Moser staunchly supported the proliferation and maintenance of parks and playgrounds in Jackson Heights. Prior to this, the park was named for the Bulova watch company, which gifted the site to the City.