A neighborhood in need of more parkland is about to get a whole lot greener.
Local lawmakers and Parks officials broke ground on expansions to Travers Park Friday. The existing park will now also incorporate the 78th Street Pedestrian Plaza and the adjacent Rory Staunton Field.
That extra 34-thousand square feet of park space will include a great lawn, play equipment for children of all ages and a performance area.
The $7.1 million makeover will bring additional public space officials say the Jackson Heights neighborhood has been lacking for at least four decades.
"It's going to be so wonderful for this community. I just think that it's going to be something that will continue to unite this community," said City Council member Daniel Dromm, who represents the area.
The entire project is expected to be complete in the fall of next year.