PARKS PITCHES PLAYGROUND

Nancy Prince (standing with microphone) and Lee Ann Beauchamp of the Parks Department provided an overview of the proposed reconstruction of Juniper Playground South at Juniper Valley Park at the Nov. 10 Middle Village Property Owners/Residents Association meeting. Representatives of the Parks Department provided details on proposed renovations to a playground at Juniper Valley Park during last Monday's meeting of the Middle Village Property Owners/Residents Association at St. Margaret's Parish Hall.

Project Manager Lee Ann Beauchamp and Landscape Architect Nancy Prince presented an outline of improvements the agency plans to make to part of Juniper Playground South, which is located in the vicinity of Juniper Boulevard South and 74th Street.

Though the department does not have funding to renovate the entire area, Beauchamp explained that a total of $750,000 has been allocated to improve a portion of the playground to create separate play areas for younger and older children as well as new equipment and gates at all entrances.

Built on what was swampland, Beauchamp said that the renovation will incorporate a wetland theme into the playground. Plans include the installation of a spray shower in a lily-pad shaped area as well as a frog-themed hopscotch game.

Other attractions to be brought to the renovated playground include a jungle gym for little children with a variety of connecting rides as well as new swing sets. Assorted trees and wetland plants will also be installed in other areas of the facility.

The original plan, as presented during Community Board 5's October meeting, included a proposed sandbox that drew concerns from local residents, who charged that it would be used by animals as a litter box and unsafe for children to play.

As a result of those concerns, Beauchamp informed residents that the sandbox was withdrawn from the department's plan and replaced with a planting bed.

Asked if funding for the project is secure amid looming budget cuts, City Council Member Anthony Como stated that the proposal is "ready to go" and was assured, following a meeting with Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, that funding for the effort would not be withdrawn.

"If we had to put a shovel in the ground" earlier to keep the funding "we would have," he said. "The money will not be taken away."

Prince reiterated that the faster the project commences, the chances that funding for it will be reduced by the city will decrease.

As for a timetable, Prince explained that the project, once approved by the department, would be sent out to bid to a contractor, a process that could take up to five months to complete. The work is expected to be completed in a period between nine and 12 months.

It is anticipated that the playground renovations will begin by late spring 2009 and be finished by early 2010. Funding for the renovation of the rest of the playground must be secured by other means before work can begin, it was noted.

In a related story, Commissioner Lewandowski updated residents on work at Gas Tank Park, the informal name for the playground being constructed at the former site of the Elmhurst gas tanks. She informed residents that the agency will soon be moving into the second phase of the project, which includes the installation of playground equipment, a small athletic field and other amenities.

Over the last year, she stated, crews completed the first phase of the work, during which the land was contoured and various trees and shrubs were planted. Lewandowski anticipates that the project will take another year to complete before the new park is opened to the public.

Update on civic 'wish list'

Corresponding Secretary John Schell reviewed items previously included in the MVPORA's wish list of projects and updated residents on what progress, if any, has been made.

At the top of the list over the last several years, he noted, has been the reconstruction of roadways in the neighborhood south of Metropolitan Avenue between 73rd Place and 80th Street. Though the civic group and Board 5 were previously told that it would start by 2010, the current budget crisis has resulted in the project's delay.

Schell noted that Board 5 District Manager Gary Giordano was recently informed by the Department of Transportation that the reconstruction will be rescheduled for 2013. As a result, the corresponding secretary said, the cost of the work will likely increase, which may prove to make it too costly in the years ahead.

The civic group has also requested the installation of a concrete sidewalk along the westbound lanes of Metropolitan Avenue between 80th Street and Cooper Avenue through St. John's Cemetery. Schell said that nearly $400,000 in funding has been allocated for the work by State Sen. Serphin Maltese, and the DOT is scheduled to submit its plans to Board 5 for its review shortly.

He expected that the project would begin by the spring of 2009.

One other item on the civic group's wish list, the installation of Muni-Meters along Metropolitan Avenue, was completed during the renovation of the shopping strip, Schell added.

Council member's report

Como also updated residents regarding the ongoing installation of decorative street lamps along Metropolitan Avenue and activities at an area catering hall.

He informed residents that the city's Department of Transportation has installed the replica antique lights along the strip between 73rd Place and 80th Street. All but one are in working condition. Additionally, the DOT is in the process of "touching up" other light fixtures that were not replaced, including traffic signals.

Following a reportedly wild party that occurred in September, Como noted that "all is quiet" at the Metronome catering hall on Metropolitan Avenue near 80th Street. The premises has been used recently for small, family-oriented occasions and has done "nothing to cause trouble," the legislator added.

Having been defeated in the general election, Como thanked supporters for their votes, reiterating that he will remain active until the conclusion of his tenure on Dec. 31, after which time City Council Member-elect Elizabeth Crowley will take office.

Civic president Salvatore Candela informed residents that the organization has reached out to Crowley and State Sen.-elect Joseph Addabbo, Jr., who will succeed outgoing Senator Maltese, and invited both incoming office holders to a future meeting to discuss local issues.

Trouble with trash

Several residents complained about the recent switch in garbage collection hours by the Department of Sanitation in advance of snow removal season. Others charged that their neighbors have left trash out for several days after collections were skipped by the agency due to recent holidays.

One civic member stated that local residents have left their recyclables on their curbside for over a week after their regular recycling collection, scheduled on Tuesdays, was skipped on Nov. 4 due to Election Day. Others have reportedly left cans on the street blocking parts of community driveways, making it difficult for other homeowners to gain access into their garages.

Candela stated that the civic group would invite Sanitation Department representatives to a future meeting to discuss grievances with the public.

Other news

The president of the Middle Village Chamber of Commerce, Tania Brochart, announced that the group and MVPORA will team together to invite local schoolchildren to take part in a poster or essay contest. Several local principals have already agreed to the idea.

Civic member Lorraine Verderber was elected unanimously to the MVPORA Board of Directors. She replaces Olga Finneran, who died earlier this year.

The next Middle Village Property Owners/Residents Association meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Margaret's Parish Hall, located on 79th Place south of Juniper Valley Road.