Queensbridge Playground reopens after nearly three years

The Queensbridge Playground has reopened following a $2 million renovation after a sinkhole created a safety hazard that closed the space near Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City for almost three years. Photo by Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit

July 26, 2024 By Bill Parry

The children at the nation’s largest public housing complex finally have their playground back.

Council Member Julie Won joined Queensbridge Houses residents and their kids in Long Island City for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 25, at the playground near Vernon Boulevard that was closed off for just under three years and allowed to fall into a state of disrepair after a sinkhole created a danger to the public, especially to youngsters.

Photo by Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit

“Thanks to our advocacy, we secured $2 million to fix the sinkhole at Queensbridge Playground,” Won said. “Now, just in time for the summer, our children can enjoy their playground again, with newly painted play equipment and a brand new synthetic turf for safety.”

The playground at Queensbridge South was closed off nearly three years ago due to the safety hazard caused by the sinkhole. During a walkthrough of Queensbridge Houses with representatives from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) in December 2022, Won flagged the need for repairs to the playground, which had been fenced off from the public due to the sinkhole, measuring three feet long and two feet wide.

Photo by Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media UnitNYCHA had the sinkhole repaired earlier this year at a cost of approximately $315,000.

Photo by Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit

“My neighbors and I have told management about the dangerous sinkhole that prevented children and families from using the playground for over two years,” NYCHA Queensbridge Houses Resident Association President Corrine Haynes said. “Thank you to Council Member Julie Won and all of our government representatives for helping us advocate for this necessary repair and finally making this safe playground a reality for Queensbridge residents. As a longtime resident and community leader, I will continue advocating for critical repairs and improvements for current and future Queensbridge residents.”

Following the ribbon-cutting, the children raced to use their refurbished play equipment.

Photo by Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit

“All children deserve safe, accessible and engaging outdoor play spaces, regardless of where they live,” Riis Settlement House Executive Director Christopher Hanway said. “I join Riis Settlement’s staff and participants in thanking Council Member Won and her team for their support and tenacity in getting the playground at Vernon Boulevard reopened for the young people of Queensbridge.”

Photo by Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit

In the FY 2025 Executive Budget, Won helped to secure $2 billion in capital investments for affordable housing, including NYCHA and the NYC Housing Preservation and Development. She also secured $12 million in capital funding for Queensbridge Park improvements, including a new walking track, renovating the turf ball fields, sports lighting and path reconstruction.

Council Member Julie Won joins kids to play at the newly renovated and reopened Queensbridge Playground. Photo by Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit

“All children — especially public housing residents who have historically experienced a chronic pattern of neglect and disinvestment — deserve access to a safe place to play,” Won said. “Thank you to our partners at Queensbridge Houses, Riis Settlement, and elected officials on the state and federal level for helping us to secure this crucial win for public housing residents. With $2 billion in the FY 2025 city budget for NYCHA capital repairs, we look forward to NYCHA management’s continued work to improve the living conditions at Queensbridge and other public housing properties so our neighbors can have safe, dignified and modern spaces to live.”