Senator Avella Announces $575,000 Funding Allocation for Macneil Park in College Point

(Queens, New York) Today, State Senator Tony Avella presented a check for $575,000 of allocated funding for the renovation of MacNeil Park in College Point. The Senator was joined by members of the College Point Civic and Taxpayer Association, and other community leaders and residents of College Point.

The funding, secured by Senator Avella for this fiscal year, will be directed to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) which requested the $575,000 for the purposes of paving a perimeter sidewalk along the park, planting additional foliage, and creating a formal entrance.

The Park boasts twenty-nine acres of waterfront parkland favored by College Point locals for its views and various amenities. MacNeil Park features a baseball diamond, a basketball court, a playground and pavilions for outdoor activities and picnics.

MacNeil Park, named after one of the United States’ most renowned sculptors, Hermon A. MacNeil, was the third location to create a memorial grove for the victims of September 11^th.

“I’m very happy to have secured funding for MacNeil Park upgrades after the Department of Parks and Recreation approached me with the proposal. Residents of College Point favor MacNeil for its view while they walk or run along the waterfront. I have always been committed to preserving and investing in our valued New York City parklands. It is time to finally provide College Point locals with renovations for this popular public space,” said Senator Tony Avella.

"We are thrilled that these improvements are coming and grateful to Senator Avella for securing the funds. Combined with the waterfront pathway reconstruction that's set to begin soon,  the new path along Poppenhusen Avenue will give park-goers the ability to safely walk around the perimeter of the park. Use of the park is on the rise and safe paths are essential," said Kathryn Cervino, Parks Committee Chair of the College Point Civic Association and Vice President of Coastal Preservation Network.

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