Hammel Playground in Rockaway is one of several peninsula parks slated for federally funded repairs. Photo Courtesy of QNSMADE.
Elected officials last week announced more than $1 million in federal funding for eight Rockaway parks that sustained extensive damage from Superstorm Sandy.
The funding—$1, 207, 961 to be exact—is being provided to the city Department of Parks and Recreation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program.
The money is earmarked for Sandy-related permanent repairs at these hard-hit parks on the peninsula: Rockaway Beach 30th Street Playground, in which 12,528 square feet of safety surface lost during the disaster has been replaced; Rockaway Beach 59th Street Playground, in which 7,030 square feet of safety surface lost in the disaster has been replaced, six storm drains repaired, as well as one park bench and a portion of fencing; Rockaway Beach Playground M, where 7,411 square feet of safety surface lost to the storm have been replaced; Arverne Playground, in which 5,871 square feet of damaged safety surface has been removed and replaced; Rockaway Freeway Park, in which a total of 152 linear feet of chain-link fencing has been replaced; at Conch Playground, Work 4,194 square feet of safety surface has been replaced; Almeda Playground, in which 3,449 square feet of safety surface was replaced; and Hammel Playground, in which 5,828 square feet of safety surface lost during the disaster has been replaced.
“Superstorm Sandy followed a devastating path that destroyed our treasured parks and playgrounds, and restoring these public spaces is a critical part of our ongoing recovery,” said U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), who helped to secure the money. “These federal funds are an investment in our communities and help ensure that Rockaway and Far Rockaway will thrive.”
Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver added, “[Superstorm] Sandy was a painful reminder that our coastal parkland is New York City’s first line of defense against climate disasters. Thanks to support from FEMA we are able to recover and rebuild vital playgrounds and parks for hard-hit Rockaways communities.”
By Forum Staff
