Senator Avella and Douglaston Residents Renew Call for City to Transform Vacant Lot into Park

Queens, NY – Yesterday, State Senator Tony Avella and local Douglaston civic associations gathered to call on Mayor de Blasio and the City to transfer control of a vacant Douglaston lot from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) so that a new park can be created.

The lot, located at 39^th Avenue and 234^th Street, has been vacant for decades ever since the City condemned it for another failed project. Since then, residents have pleaded with the City to allow DPR to transform the space into a park for the community.

Senator Avella was joined by the Doug-Bay Manor Civic Association, Douglas Manor Association, Douglas Manor Environmental Association, and residents of the area who all feel that this empty space should be converted into a public pocket park for the community’s use.

“For 10 to 15 years, the community and I have been asking the City to transform this vacant lot of city-owned land into a greenspace that the entire community can benefit from. This level of inaction from the City isn’t new but I’m stunned that they would behave this way with a piece of land that they already own. The original plan for this land failed decades ago but there is no reason why it has been left untouched since then. The City needs to do right by this community and allow DPR to turn this space into an amenity that will be enjoyed by all. Allowing this land to remain vacant and unused would be a real shame,” said Senator Avella.

“Around here there are no real public spaces. When the community wants to get together and have a celebration there is not a real place for us to gather. Our community is aching for a place where we can go, relax, and enjoy leisurely activities with our kids and the community. We need a place that is large enough to accommodate our community gatherings. I thank the Senator so much for all the help he always extends to the community,” added Colette Wong, President of Doug-Bay Manor Association.

“This area has no parkland, we have the waterfront but it isn’t very usable. We need a space that both seniors and children can use. We need greenspace, not a parking lot, that can benefit the entire community,” said Tom Pinto, Treasurer and former President of Doug-Bay Manor Civic Association.

“There’s so little greenspace left in the city. Any greenspace that we can attain for our residence is a value for everyone. This doesn’t only benefit the residents of this area, a greenspace greatly benefits the environment as well,” said Jamie Sutherland, Secretary of the Douglas Manor Environmental Association. 

“The Douglas Manor Association supports the people of Doug-Bay in their effort to get this park and we thank the Senator for all of his help on this issue,” said Mike Gannon, President of the Douglas Manor Association.