Veterans Grove

NYC PARKS BREAKS GROUND ON FULL RECONSTRUCTION OF VETERANS GROVE PLAYGROUND

Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski today joined Council Member Daniel Dromm to break ground on a $1.7 million reconstruction of Veterans Grove Playground in Elmhurst, Queens. This project will fully reconstruct the play area and surrounding sidewalk, and add important storm water management infrastructure to the site. It was funded with $1.5 million from the City Council and $175,000 from the Borough President.

“NYC Parks is embarking on a complete renovation of Veterans Grove Playground, down to the perimeter sidewalks,” said Commissioner Lewandowski. “In keeping with our mission to support a more sustainable city, we are also adding infrastructure to better manage storm water overflow, minimizing erosion and easing the burden on our citywide water system. We’re grateful to Council Member Dromm and Borough President Katz for their support of this important project in Elmhurst.”

“Improving parks and playgrounds in Elmhurst is a top priority of mine,” said NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Elmhurst, Jackson Heights). “Quality green space is essential to the health and wellbeing of any community. I am pleased to have allocated $1.5 million for these infrastructural improvements and reconstruction which will ensure that Veterans Grove Playground continues to serve Elmhurst families for generations to come.”

Existing benches, fencing, play equipment and pavements will be all be removed and replaced with updated amenities. In addition to play spaces for children, this site will include a spray shower area for use during the summer months and quiet sitting areas for those who enjoy passive recreation. The park’s dog run will also get improvements, including a new drinking fountain which will serve both humans and canines.

Additionally, NYC Parks will install a number of underground chambers and pipes which will help to manage storm water runoff by capturing the rain water, and diverting overflow from the City’s storm water system. This new infrastructure will also minimize soil run off after rain, and includes plantings and land form changes which will aid in containing storm water.

The project began in Spring 2016, and is expected to take two years to complete.

This playground is dedicated to the memory of those soldiers from Elmhurst who lost their lives serving in World War I and includes a plaque honoring these veterans. The park was established in 1928.