Queens, NY, June 6, 2011 – NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), released the
following statement on Mayor Bloomberg’s ribbon-cutting to be held later today, officially opening the new Elmhurst Park:
This 6.5-acre green oasis in a densely populated area where the gas tanks once stood has now miraculously replaced them. For almost 10 years, the Juniper Park Civic Association pushed local electeds and the City to convert a former eyesore and traffic landmark into today’s $20 million community greenspace of lawns, trees, playgrounds, jogging paths, seating, sculpture, and modern comfort stations. I join the mayor, the Juniper Park community activists, Community Board 4, the families, seniors, and hard-working people of Elmhurst, who longed for a new patch of green when the gas tanks came down, in congratulating all of them on this hard-won accomplishment. They filled the need for a new and beautiful park resting between Grand Avenue and the L.I. Expressway. Queens is already one of the greenest boroughs with many big, beautiful parks. With all of our continuing efforts, we’ll ensure Queens keeps turning crowded urban areas like this into more livable and enjoyable places for all our people to enjoy the outdoors.
# # #
