Two Athens Square Park Playgrounds Open

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Councilmember Peter Vallone, Jr., Queens Deputy President Barry Grodenchik, Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski and members of the Athens Square Park Committee cut the ribbon on $1.5 million in improvements to Athens Square Park. Malcolm Pinckney (NYC Parks & Recreation) Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe last Friday, July 23, joined City Councilmember Peter Vallone, Jr., Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik and Community Board 1 Parks Chair Richard Khuzami to cut the ribbon on $1.5 million in improvements to Athens Square Park.

“Astoria is not only home to the best gyros, souvlaki and baklava, but to one of the most beautiful playgrounds in Queens,” Benepe said. “Efxaristo (thank you) to a $1.5-million allocation by Councilmember Vallone, this playground honors the culture of its Greek neighbors with the white stucco, orange and blue-colored equipment and a beautiful sea-themed spray shower. Athens Square Park’s comfort station is currently being upgraded thanks to $500,000 from Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and another $100,000 has been allocated to build a fence around that playground that was requested by the community.”

“Athens Square Park has always offered a truly unique space for our community,” Vallone said. “We have now expanded on that by giving our kids the opportunity to brush up on their Greek philosophy while playing in a state-of-theart playground.”

“Today’s ribbon cutting with Parks Commissioner Benepe and Councilman Vallone celebrates the rebirth of this gem in our borough’s network of parks and the legacy of ancient Greece,” Marshall said. “Athens Square Park is a unique oasis in an urban environment. New fencing will provide greater security after dark and increase safety, while protecting equipment.”

The $1.5-million renovation to the playgrounds was funded thanks an allocation by Vallone. Benepe also announced that $600,000 in improvements was appropriated by Marshall to upgrade the park’s comfort station, which will open at the end of the summer. Marshall also allocated money for community-requested fencing that would allow the playground to be locked at night.

Given that the area has a large Greek population, the playgrounds were designed to emulate the country and culture. Both playgrounds, one for tots and the other for children up to 12 years old, feature blue and orange, blue to reflect Greece’s famous blue sky and seas and orange, representing the terracotta roofing that is popular in the country. Olive branches, fishing boats and sea creatures that are native to Greece are featured at spray showers. Quotations from Greek philosophers can be found around the play areas.