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Parks Dept. Breaks Ground on $7.1 Million Renovation of Ravenswood Playground

Photo courtesy of NYC Parks / Daniel Avila

June 29, 2021 By Christian Murray

Elected officials and community leaders held a ceremonial ground breaking today to mark the beginning of a $7.1 million revamp of Ravenswood Playground.

The playground, located next to the NYCHA Ravenswood Houses on 21st Street, will undergo an overhaul that will include new play equipment, a spray area and repaved basketball courts.

The project will also feature new benches, lighting, native tree and plant beds, and a renovated picnic grove that will connect the playground and softball field. In addition, the improvements will include new accessible entrances and paths.

The project is expected to be completed by Spring 2022.

“Reconstruction is in full swing at Ravenswood Playground,” said Queens Borough Parks Commissioner Michael Dockett. “By next summer, the children and families of Long Island City will be able to enjoy brand new play equipment, upgraded sports courts, and a more inviting play space.”

The renovations were made possible by a $3.9 million allocation from Council Member Van Bramer, $2.5 million from the Borough President’s Office, and $693,000 from Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“The people of Ravenswood deserve to have a beautiful, modern park and playground and the way we renovate parks around our City must be done with an eye on equity,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “The $7.1 million renovation will make the Ravenswood Playground a welcoming place for kids and adults of all ages.”

The 2.76 acre park is located between Ravenswood Houses and the Queensbridge Houses, two large housing projects. The park was established in 1952.

This is the first major upgrade to the park in more than two decades.

Residents say the park will also improve when the Department of Sanitation garage on 21st Street closes. The facility, which is located next to the park and is used to store trucks, is in the process of being shut down with a new facility being built in an industrial section of Astoria.

“This is a great day for the children and families of Ravenswood Houses, Queensbridge Houses, and the surrounding neighborhoods as we break ground on the first-class playground this community deserves,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. “Fairness and equity demand that all children, no matter where they live, should have access to the top-quality play spaces they need to thrive.”