Norelli-Hargreaves Playground

NORELLI-HARGREAVES PLAYGROUND REOPENS BOASTING $2.7 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS, WITH A SECOND PROJECT ON THE BASKETBALL COURTS ALREADY UNDERWAY

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, today joined Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, City Council Member Adrienne Adams, Community Board 12 District Manager Yvonne Reddick and local community members to cut the ribbon on a total reconstruction of Norelli-Hargreaves Playground in Jamaica, Queens, and break ground on the renovation of the site’s basketball courts and multi-purpose play area.

“Today’s celebration at Norelli-Hargreaves Playground is twice as nice!” said Commissioner Silver. “As we reopen the play area with new equipment, game tables, and spray showers, we also look forward to further enhancing this park with upgrades to the basketball courts and multi-purpose adult fitness area. Special thanks to Mayor de Blasio and Borough President Melinda Katz for their commitment to revitalizing this vital greenspace to benefit New Yorkers of all ages.”

“The reconstruction of Norelli-Hargreaves Playground has brought the families of Jamaica a top-notch play space where kids can be physically active and have lots of fun,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “It is so exciting to cut the ribbon on this playground on the same day we break ground on the renovation of the adjacent basketball courts and multi-purpose play area, which will bring even more first-class recreational space to this great neighborhood. Together these two projects will benefit Jamaica residents for many years to come.”

“The transformation of Norelli-Hargreaves Playground is an incredibly important improvement for the residents of this community who use the space so frequently,” said Council Member Adrienne Adams. “This is a park that has traditionally accommodated so many families, but was in desperate need of renovation. I could not be more thrilled to provide funding that has helped investment in this space. The improvements of this playground will have an enormously positive impact on our community as a whole.”

With nearly $3 million in upgrades, the new and improved Norelli-Hargreaves Playground now features brand new play equipment, spray showers, game tables, and completely redesigned play areas to provide more recreational space for park goers. In addition to upgraded active amenities, there are opportunities for passive recreation with new seating areas and benches. Planting beds have also been installed to provide seasonal visual interest, color and texture. This project was funded by a $2.7 million allocation with $2 million from Borough President Melinda Katz and $746,000 from Mayor Bill de Blasio.

NYC Parks also began construction in August on the basketball courts and multi-purpose play area at Norelli-Hargreaves Playground to upgrade four half-court basketball courts; adult fitness circuits; a new walking path; new seating areas; and drinking fountains. Site drainage and lighting are also being improved. The basketball court reconstruction was funded by Borough President Katz for $2.5 million.