A school in Flushing is getting a brand new, state-of-the-art playground designed by the students themselves. NY1's Matt McClure filed the following report.

The construction zone behind PS 120Q in Flushing used to be nothing but an asphalt lot. In a few months, it will become a brand-new, state-of-the-art playground designed by fourth graders at the school.

“We wanted nature type of things,” said fourth grader Akemi Li. “And also we have basketball and soccer field, and running tracks.”

“It's going to be a big, wide field and I'm really looking forward to where we could do classes outside,” added classmate Faida Imam.

The students also designed the new play area with safety in mind.

“We wanted fake grass because often kids are getting hurt, they're falling down, they're getting scratches,” said fourth grader Laiba Darvish.

“We'll have less accidents of students getting hurt and we have more playground equipment to have more fun,” Giancarlo Alvarez, also a fourth grader, added.

The $1 million project is part of a partnership between the city's Department of Environmental Protection, the Trust for Public Land and New York Road Runners.

Borough President Melinda Katz and Council Member Peter Koo helped fund the project.

“What we've done is combine the kids' view of what a playground should be with the fact that we want it to be a clean playground,” said Katz.

“Too many kids spend too much time on iPhones, iPads, and other electronics,” said Koo. “So I encourage the kids to exercise when they're young. Form a good habit.”

Before the redesign, a relatively small area with play equipment was the only place for kids to play outside the school. The new playground is going to be many times larger and environmentally friendly.

“That turf field where the kids can play soccer is also a permeable surface, which is going to capture storm water each time it rains. So the water will go into the ground and water the trees,” said Mary Alice Lee of the Trust for Public Land.

“It's going to be great for the community, too,” said Michel Capiraso, President & CEO of New York Road Runners. “It's not just for the kids during the day, but this will be open to the community and it gives them an opportunity to come to a really nice playground and bring their families and run.”

The new playground is scheduled to be completed in October.