Support an Astoria Park Soccer Field

[NickFromAstoria]

So this isn't exactly a NYCFC event per se, but it's an important event for anyone who wants to see soccer promoted in New York City (and it seems a safe bet that pretty much everyone here fits that description). Recently, the mayor announced that five parks around the city will each get a $30 million grant for upgrades and repairs, and one of the five is Astoria Park. If you've never been to Astoria Park, there's a nice track near the south that could fit a FIFA regulation-size field, but for some reason has never actually been used for that purpose (despite it being a pretty common thing in other large city parks).

On November 16, the Parks Department will be holding a town hall to discuss what the community would like to see done in Astoria Park, and we want to demonstrate how important building a new soccer field is to the community. We already have a lot of local support for the idea, but more is always better. (Plus it's at Bohemian Hall, so you can stop downstairs at the Beer Garden to grab a drink too ) So if you live/work/play in Queens and can stop by we'd definitely appreciate it!

 

[Rimil]

I'm all for a soccer field at Astoria park but i bet it turns into something like at mccaren park where the yuppie rec leagues snap up the non-competative field permits and use it to make money while limiting the local communities access. I will admit i am guilty of playing in these leagues and I can see the hypocrisy of my comment, but I never did like thinking that Im forcing kids to play on the fringes of the park become some rec league operator owns a ten dollar permit and is never going to give it up once he gets it. But if it has to be turned into something I'd rather it be a soccer field so i'll come out for it.

On a side note, anyone know how to reach and effect existing projects? See the specs on the dog park coming to astoria in 2018, I'd love to have the plans take over the whole space and get that stinking basketball court removed from the designs:

Community Groups & Elected Officials Support Triborough Playground C Upgraded Design

Astoria, N.Y. - Renovations will soon begin at Triborough Bridge Playground C, including a new dog run and an upgraded basketball court.

The upgrade project was a winning Participatory Budgeting ballot proposal in spring 2015 - community residents voted in favor of building a new dog run at Triborough Playground C. The proposal garnered the second-most votes out of 20 projects with thousands of community residents weighing in.

The design for the dog run area features different play areas for dogs, including a variety of rocky mounds and a spray fire hydrant feature for cooling down. The play areas for larger dogs and smaller dogs will be distinctly separated. There will be a locker to store supplies and a water source for a hose hook-up that will help in maintaining cleanliness. New bench seating will be installed. The design includes a new bright color scheme with a focal point in the shape of a dog bone.

The design for the upgrades basketball area features new hoops and rims, improved court paint markings, and new seating. The dog run area will be separated from the basketball court area by a tall fence.

Borough President Melinda Katz, State Senator Michael Gianaris, Council Member Costa Constantinides, Community Board 1, Old Astoria Neighborhood Association, and Astoria Dog Owners Association praised the design plans. The community stakeholders issued a statement of support.

“The planned upgrades at Triborough Playground C will bring many benefits to our community. We look forward to enjoying the improved basketball court and the brand new dog run. The innovative design includes a variety of play areas for dogs, a new color scheme with a dog bone focal point, and an improved basketball court. We’re pleased with the design plans and look forward to an on-time completion of this community-awaited capital project,” they said. (Quote attributed to: Borough President Katz, Senator Gianaris, Council Member Constantinides, Queens Community Board 1 Chair Joseph Risi, Old Astoria Neighborhood Association Vice President Kevin Hernandez, and Astoria Dog Owners Association Chairman Robert Kirby.)

This will be the first designated dog run in Astoria. The project will go into procurement in January 2017, with the one-year construction process tentatively planned to begin in summer 2017.