Image credit: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

Upgrades were designed with community input. On February 25, 2020, the Parks Department announced the beginning of a reconstruction project of Hart Playground in Woodside, Queens. Hart Playground is located on the block between Broadway to the north, 37th Avenue to the south, 65th Street to the west and 69th Street to the east. 

The project was designed with community input. The playground will be completely reconstructed with new painted games on the ground and a new colored concrete spray shower. The current full basketball court will be reconstructed and a new half-court basketball and volleyball/badminton court will also be added. The existing single gate entrance on Broadway will be moved to 65th Street to better blend in with the area and an ADA accessible ramp will also be added. 

The park is expected to reopen in January 2021. The total project will cost $3.2 million. Of that, $1.82 million was from the City Council and another $1.38 million was provided by the Queens Borough President’s office. 

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, stated, “We’re proud to make Hart Playground into a better space for the Woodside community to play, sweat, or just relax.”

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer stated, “I have fought for parks in every corner of my Council District. The renovations here will turn Hart playground into a gem for our entire community. I’m thrilled to have allocated nearly $2 million to make this a reality.”

By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018).