NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe will join Council Member James Gennaro, members of Queens Community Board 8, the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Conservancy, and boating groups to cut the ribbon on $1.27 million in sustainable improvements to the area south of Flushing Meadows Corona Park’s Meadow Lake.
This project was funded with $1 million allocated by Council Member Gennaro and $269,000 allocated by Mayor Bloomberg. The renovation includes merging of the deteriorated paths that run south of the boathouse into a larger, single path for safer pedestrian and bicycle use, and greater accessibility. The new path was graded to allow for stormwater to easily flow into the lake, which will help to alleviate flooding conditions. The project also includes the planting of rain gardens with wetland plants and grasses – including Bald Cypress, Black Tupelo, Swamp Azalea, Swamp Milkweed, and Pickerel Weed. These gardens will capture and filter stormwater while also improving the area’s appearance.
The project is the latest of several improvements recently completed or soon starting in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Last fall, a new dock and renovated boathouse were opened on Meadow Lake. An upcoming project will restore the natural habitat and reconstruct paths along the lake’s southwestern edge, and another will create a rain garden to capture runoff on the lake’s western side.