Renovations Unveiled at Paul Raimonda Playground in Astoria, Queens

Astoria’s Paul Raimonda Playground officially reopened June 7 after the completion of the nearly $2 million renovation announced in 2013, according to The Queens Tribune.

New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Queens Borough Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, joined at the ceremony by Councilman Costa Constantinides, Community Board 1 District Manager Florence Koulouris, and Parks Chair Richard Khuzami, cut the ribbon revealing the first improvements made to the playground since 1995. Funded by City Council and Mayor Bill de Blasio, whom Lewandowski thanked for “providing key support”, the project broke ground in August of last year. 

“When you improve a park, you improve a neighborhood,” Constantinides said. “The improvements at Raimonda Playground will bring benefits to families throughout the neighborhood.”

These improvements include repaved asphalt for better drainage, a repaired flag pole, new greenery, updated play equipment, an adult fitness equipment area in place of the under-utilized bocce court, and relocated park seating as requested by the community.

Perhaps most exciting is the new centerpiece for the playground, a piano-shaped spray shower area for kids. The playground is located only a few blocks away from the Steinway & Sons factory, the prominent firm of piano manufacturers founded in 1853 by Henry Steinway, and took its inspiration from this part of Astoria’s rich history. 

Lewandowski noted that after this “major tune-up at Paul Raimonda Playground,” children will not only be able to “splash around this summer in a brand-new piano-shaped spray shower” that “pays homage to the neighborhood’s roots,” but also challenge their imaginations while doing so.  
   

Main image: Children play in the piano-shaped water spray area at Paul Raimonda Playground in Astoria.
Daniel Avila/NYC Parks 

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