An Astoria Park has reopened to the public after receiving a major facelift. Van Alst Playground is the first completed under a multi-million dollar project aimed at bringing new life to city parks. Our Gene Apodaca filed the following report.

Six months ahead of schedule, park officials joined kids from PS 171 to cut the ribbon at the brand new Van Alst Playground.   

The park, the first of more than two dozen selected three years ago to be renovated under the city’s Community Parks Initiative.   A project aimed at giving new life to suffering neighborhood parks.

“This community deserves a quality space, it’s dense it’s growing and it was in need so for us it was a joy to be able to get this done for the community ahead of schedule,” said NYC Parks Commissioner, Mitchell Silver.

The improvements to Van Alst were funded by 3 million dollars from the city, and a half a million dollars from the Department of Environmental Protection for incorporating eco-friendly designs, such as rain basins to conserve water.

The design of the project, which was based on community input,  transformed a cracked asphalt lot into a colorful space for sports and games.   In addition to new green space, new playground equipment was added for kids to enjoy.

    Reporter: “You like the slide, why?“

    Salmane Hamama: “Because I go too fast.”

“Now it’s safe, safer than before there are many more places that the kids can play," said Hamama’s mother, Hasnaa Modini.

The park isn’t just for kids, designers made sure there were areas for adults including this area to work out.

“We designed it so it can be multi-generational so we have tables and seats for seniors to sit and gather we have places for guardians and parents to sit and watch their children,“ said Silver.

Since it began the Community Parks Initiative has expanded to 56 sites, with the addition of 11 more to be announced later this year.   The city chooses sites based on growing population, and the number of residents living below poverty level.

“All of our parks and playgrounds are valuable places in our neighborhood.  Having them open and having them renovated  and state of the art as this one is, is so, so important, “ said Councilman Costa Constantinides.

“I think parks like this  are just a great opportunity for kids to get out and engage in physical activity you know, “said parent, Michael Burke.

A fun family outing ,that is also helping the community.