Parks To Allocate $4.6 Million for Gorman Playground Upgrades in East Elmhurst

The East Elmhurst playground will be receiving a $4.6 million renovation to accommodate active and passive recreation. On April 8, 2021, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation’s Commissioner, Mitchell J. Silver, announced the new $4.6 million renovation of the Gorman Playground located at 25th Avenue and 84th Street in East Elmhurst. The project received its funding for renovation from former Council Member Costa Constantinides prior to his departure from office.


Parks Completes $4.5 Million Renovation of Chappetto Square

The upgrades include courts and new landscaping. On April 8, 2021, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Silver cut the ribbon on the reconstruction of Chappetto Square in Astoria, Queens. Chappetto Square is located on Hoyt Avenue between 21st and 23rd Streets. The reconstruction of Chappetto Square comes as a part of the Community Parks Initiative. The Community Parks Initiative being the first ever Department of Parks and Recreation equity initiative.



Jamie Torres-Springer Appointed New Commissioner of Design and Construction

Torres-Springer, the former First Deputy Commissioner of the department, will be succeeding Senior Advisor for Recovery and outgoing Commissioner Lorraine Grillo. On March 23, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Jamie Torres-Springer as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Design and Construction. Torres-Springer will be succeeding Lorraine Grillo. Former Commissioner Grillo left the position earlier in March to serve as the City’s Senior Advisor for Recovery.


Park in Staten Island Receives $5.5 Million Upgrade

The $5.5 million project renovates athletic fields at Bloomindale Park in Staten Island. On March 11, 2021, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation announced the completion of athletic field upgrades in Bloomingdale Park in Prince’s Bay, Staten Island. The improvements include a brand new synthetic turf multi-purpose field as well as the renovation of a turf soccer field.