New Play Equipment Coming to Devoy Playground in Queens' Forest Park

NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski today joined Borough President Melinda Katz to break ground on a $1.45 million upgrade to Joseph DeVoy Playground in Forest Park. Doris DeVoy, wife of the community advocate for whom the park is named, also joined in the celebration.

"DeVoy Playground is charming neighborhood jewel nestled inside one of Queens' largest parks," said Commissioner Lewandowski. "The new playground designed to look like a tree house will spark the imaginations of everyone who visits it, and reflect the beauty of Forest Park. We are thankful to Borough President Katz for her ongoing support of Queens parks and playgrounds."

"Forest Park is a jewel in our City's parks system due to its natural beauty and to amenities like DeVoy Playground," said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. "The renovation of DeVoy Playground now underway will make it an even more engaging place for the growing families around Forest Park."

The goal of the upcoming project is to provide access to all areas of the site, and add dynamic play components for children up to the age of 12. The park's main entrance will be regraded and the entrance gate will be replaced with one that allows for better access to the site.

The playground's new layout is designed to be sensitive to the park's sloping terrain and preserve the tree root systems. New interactive playground equipment will resemble an old fashioned tree house and is colored in earth tones to reflect the nearby forest, and new pieces like steel drums will provide for more engaging and activated play. A drinking fountain will be installed, as well as additional seating, accessible swings, and a new tire swing. Some existing features, such as the wood climbing logs and animal sculptures, will be preserved at the request of the community.

Work began in late June 2016, and is expected to be complete by Summer 2017. The $1.45 million capital project was made possible by full funding from the Queens Borough President's Office between FY14-1?5.

Forest Park is one of the natural treasures of New York City. The Wisconsin glacier molded the land 20,000 years ago and left the Harbor Hill Moraine, creating a series of small hills, known as "knob and kettle" terrain, within Forest Park. Today, the Park offers a wide array of recreational facilities such as the George Seuffert, Sr. Bandshell, a carousel, a bridal path, tennis courts, playgrounds, and Victory Field. Last month, NYC Parks cut the ribbon on renovations to Mary Whalen Playground on the southern side of Forest Park.