Astoria Park track and field opens early following reconstruction

Western Queens’ historic Astoria Park has a brand-new track and field following renovations. Photo courtesy of Daniel Avila/NYC Parks.

By Jonathan Sperling

A beloved western Queens park has a brand-new track and field — seven months ahead of schedule.

Astoria Park’s track and field has been completely reconstructed following more than $13 million in renovations as part of the city’s Anchor Parks initiative. The renovations, which were originally scheduled to be completed in May 2020, include a new running track, a new synthetic turf soccer field inside the track, a new drainage system, new pathway lighting, seating, bleachers and more.

“The brand new Astoria Park track and field has officially opened — seven months ahead of schedule!” said Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver. “We could not be more pleased that the track and field are open in time for folks to enjoy it on these beautiful fall days. This is the first of the Anchor Park transformations to make our old destination parks new again.”

A majority of the funding for the project — $12.6 million — came from the city, while $150,000 came from the City Council’s participatory budgeting and $750,000 came from Borough President Melinda Katz.

Astoria Park is one of five city parks selected for the Anchor Parks initiative, launched in 2016. The initiative provinces $150 million in funding for Astoria Park, Saint Mary’s Park in the Bronx, Highbridge Park in Manhattan, Betsy Head Park in Brooklyn and Freshkills Park in Staten Island. 

There are 750,000 New Yorkers living within walking distance of the five parks.

A second phase of renovations to Astoria Park will include the reconstruction of Charybdis Playground, a spray shower and comfort station. Those renovations are expected to be completed in 2021.