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On October 2nd, New York City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz were joined by Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, residents from Big Six Towers and pre-k students from Towers Play and Learn to unveil designs for a $1.8 million renovation of Big Bush Park in Woodside.
“With this funding we will change the face of this important community hub by making improvements that will expand the amount of green space throughout the park, introduce new play areas for children of all ages as well as enhance existing space for seniors and adults to enjoy,” said New York City Council Majority Jimmy Van Bramer. “Every great neighborhood deserves a great park and these much-needed improvements will give generations of local residents a perfect space to enjoy the outdoors right in the heart of Woodside.”
“Big Bush Park will undergo significant renovations to its playground, adult exercise equipment, game tables and more, all to be further enjoyed by the growing families of Woodside,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “The design plans for the Big Bush Park project were in no small part due to the comprehensive input from the community, and is a perfect example of how residents can have a significant impact in beautifying our neighborhoods.”
“NYC Parks has made it our mission to ensure that every neighborhood has access to high-quality parks, but we can’t do it alone,” said Commissioner Lewandowski. “Big Bush Park is a great example of community-led design in action, and we look forward to opening a new and improved space that reflects their vision. We’re thankful for the Borough President and Council Member’s support in creating a more equitable parks system, and for their dedication to Queens’ neighborhood parks.”
The goal of this project is to reconstruct the paved areas in the north end of the park to better accommodate both active play and passive recreation, and to increase the amount of green, permeable surface area in the park.
The community was actively involved in shaping this project, and the scope of renovations will directly address their requests for additional planting areas, activities for a variety of park users, play swings for tots, a new spray shower in a sunny location, new drinking fountain, upgraded seating and game tables, adult exercise equipment, rejuvenated lighting, and greenery. A new central circulation path will run north of the play areas from 64th Street entrance to 61st Street, and an entry plaza off 61st Street will invite pedestrians to linger in the shade on benches and at game tables.