Travers Park (File Photo)
Nov. 22, 2016 By Hannah Wulkan
The Parks Department has finally completed the design phase of the long-awaited Travers Park renovation, about a year behind schedule.
The Travers Park reconstruction aims to blend Travers Park with Staunton Field and the 78th Street Plaza in to a more cohesive unit that transitions seamlessly from park to neighborhood, according to Parks Department spokeswoman Meghan Lalor.
The Parks Department has finally completed the design phase of the long-awaited Travers Park renovation, about a year behind schedule.
The Travers Park reconstruction aims to blend Travers Park with Staunton Field and the 78th Street Plaza in to a more cohesive unit that transitions seamlessly from park to neighborhood, according to Parks Department spokeswoman Meghan Lalor.
The design process, which began in February 2014, was projected to be completed by October of 2015.
However, “the complexity of the project required extensive coordination between Parks and other City agencies, and as a result the design phase was extended longer than originally expected,” Lalor said.
She added that now that the design phase is complete, the project has entered its procurement phase, and she expects it will go out to bid in the spring of 2017, and construction will begin in the fall of 2017.
Due to the popularity of the park, the Parks Department has designed the project so only sections will be closed at a time, while the rest of the park remains open during construction which will likely last between 12 and 18 months.
The finalized plan has many aspects of the existing park it aims to improve.
One of the big changes is the transformation of Travers Park field in to a great lawn, with concrete paths, seating and trees surrounding the large grassy area.
The 34th Street sidewalk right outside of the park will be widened and have benches to “provide breathing space to the congestion of the green market and provide resting/ gathering spaces for users,” Lalor said.
The plaza running between 77th Street and 79th Street between the park and Staunton Field will be divided in to three “rooms,” Lalor explained, with space for tables and chairs, an active play area, and the central performance area in the middle at 78th Street.
Lalor added that the 78th Street plaza could be used as a theater in the round or as a seating area if a stage is set up on Staunton Field.
The department is also proposing eliminating the two handball courts in favor of a multipurpose space for volleyball or other activities, and plans to extend the play area adjacent to the spray equipment.
It will also add an accessible ramp to the comfort station.
The multipurpose paved area that was located in Travers Park is being relocated to Staunton Field, which will have new asphalt lined with shade trees.
According to the Parks website, the project is currently being reviewed by members of the Parks Department and the New York City Corporation Council, and is five percent finished with the procurement phase.
The listed funding for the project is between $3 million and $10 million from the Queens Borough President’s office and the City Council, though Lalor did not give a more specific figure when asked.
Travers Park Schematic Plan Rendering by Queens Post on Scribd
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10 Comments
I live in this neighborhood in front of the Travers park for 38 years. Please do not allow the part to be for dogs because you have a lot dog owners in this neighborhood are very nasty and don’t pick up after the dog does his business. Make basketball courts and a handball court also… the big space of the park house on 34th Avenue is nice I hope you don’t shorten it…?
It’s been 7 months since this article was published. Have there been any new updates to this project?
Legends bar is a dog park, you ever see the women in there
There is a very nice dog park on 69th St. and 35th Ave
There is a very nice dog park on 69th St.
Ha no Handball, usually where they sell drugs.
Good to see thats going to be gone
Why cory, you wont be allowed in
I want a dog park!
This will be a huge improvement to the neighborhood. Thank you for sharing and keeping us updated.
No dog park 🙁