Image credit: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

The upgrades include courts and new landscaping. On April 8, 2021, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Silver cut the ribbon on the reconstruction of Chappetto Square in Astoria, Queens. Chappetto Square is located on Hoyt Avenue between 21st and 23rd Streets. The reconstruction of Chappetto Square comes as a part of the Community Parks Initiative. The Community Parks Initiative being the first ever Department of Parks and Recreation equity initiative.

Chappetto Square’s complete renovation came along with new features and amenities. The greenspace now includes four new seal-coated ecuavoley courts, drinking fountains with included water bottle fillers, asphalt pathways, and newly enhanced landscaping. The Square supports all forms of recreation including passive with the newly installed shaded seating areas, game tables, and pedestrian lighting.

Chappetto Square is named after and honors the memory of Peter Chappetto. Peter Chappetto was an Astoria resident that was killed in action in World War II. The Park was a part of a series of parks with play facilities and landscaping surrounding bridge approaches designed by Robert Moses. The other six parks are known as the Triborough Bridge Playgrounds.

The Community Parks Initiative was launched by Mayor de Blasio in October 2014. The Initiative was also funded by a $4.5 million allocation from Mayor de Blasio The Community Parks Initiative is a multi-faceted investment in New York City’s collection of smaller public parts within the five boroughs. Being the Department of Parks and Recreation’s first equity initiative, it seeks to assist mainly with public parks in densely populated and growing neighborhoods with higher concentrations of poverty.

Commissioner Silver stated, “With these new upgrades, Chappetto Square is now better equipped to meet Astoria’s recreational needs. I’m thrilled to unveil these new amenities that will serve the children, families, and residents of the surrounding communities for years to come. Thanks to Mayor de Blasio’s tremendous investment, we’ve provided Queens’ residents with even more greenspace to safely gather, exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. stated, “The reconstruction of Chappetto Square has transformed this space into a first-class neighborhood park that will serve the entire Astoria community. With the COVID-19 pandemic hopefully in our rear view mirror, folks are beginning to re-discover their communities, and there is no better place for Astoria residents to start their re-discovery than by visiting this wonderful gem of a park. Peter Chappetto, the fallen World War II service member for whom Chappetto Square is named, would be proud to know that his old neighborhood has such a fine park.”

By: Patrick McNeill (Patrick is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2022.)