By Juan Soto
Kids in Laurelton have two new parks where they can now play just in time for summer and Rockaway is also getting its own new playground.
Cambria Heights’ Laurelton West Playground, which officially opened June 11, underwent a major reconstruction that cost $1.5 million, while the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new nearby playground at PS 132 took place just a few days before.
“No longer will students [at PS 132] have to look at an empty lot every day,” said City Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton).
The construction of the new park, at 132-15 218th St., which includes a basketball court, a garden amphitheater and new jungle gyms, cost $1 million and was funded by the Council as part of a $2.5 million allocation for school improvements.
State Sen. James Sanders (D-South Ozone Park), a former councilman, was also key in making the new park a reality.
“Finally justice is being done,” the lawmaker said. “This is a great community that takes pride in its youth.”
Not far from the new PS 132 park, kids are also delighted with their new car-themed playground. The reconstruction of the Laurelton West infrastructure was funded by a $1.5 million allocation by Borough President Melinda Katz.
“Every community deserves great parks,” Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski. said “And every kid deserves a great playground.”
The Laurelton West park is accessible for children of all ages and abilities, Lewandowski pointed out. The playground has road markings along its safety surface, a spray shower in the shape of a street lamp and car-shaped equipment.
The new playground “will let children of all ages and all physical abilities rev up across ramps, past a street lamp-shaped spray shower and over a bridge,” added the commissioner.
At Rockaway Beach, another empty lot was transformed into a state-of-the-art playground.
Located in PS 183 on Beach 79th Street., the new park includes a section dedicated to the historical Rockaway Playland, an amusement park in the area that closed in 1985.
Reach reporter Juan Soto by e-mail at jsoto@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
