Comments on Let's Meet Up in Queens: Area Mom Fed Up With Parks

Sunnyside Park is one of the two private parks in ...

2008-05-22T06:54:00.000-05:00

Sunnyside Park is one of the two private parks in NYC, unlike the one in Manhattan, you dont need a key to get into the park, the gate is for keeping children from runnning out chasing a ball or wandering out, not for keeping people who are not members to enter. The attendant or park manager is on duty at all times so if there is a complaint or strange activities happening, there is always someone to go to and address any issues. There is definately the feeling of being "safe" there but that is not the only reason I joined the SG Park. There's a lot more to do there, the sandbox, the large ground for kids to learn to walk, ride a bike, play baseball, soccer, picnic tables, etc. There is always a familiar face or two to chat with, everyone respects the place and each other's company and even help keep an eye out for each other's kids. There is little worry for drunkards, ciggarette butts or urine and trash on the ground where little children might fall or crawl on, I dont need to bring toys, all the kids share the park toys, trucks and bikes and whatever is there to share, it's not a perfect park or your living room and backyard but it's a relaxing outdoor space that I love taking my son where he can meet his friends and find new buddies.
It's actually cheaper to join for your whole family than to enter just yourself as member at the gym, nobody will criticize you for being a yuppie by joining the gym but for some reason, there's been a lot of talks about having to pay to be a member at SG park. I go to the private and public park and occasionally, Central Park, whatever turns you on, enjoy it!

RE: Sunnyside ParkWhen my wife and I were apartmen...

2008-05-20T15:51:00.000-05:00

RE: Sunnyside Park

When my wife and I were apartment hunting in the area we stumbled upon this place. We had no idea it was a private park since the person ahead of us held the gate open and we just went in. After subsequently finding out it was a members-only venue, we were walking past and decided to have a look with an eye towards joining. We had no problem waiting for someone to go in and to follow them in to the park.

Although my wife and I are not dangerous folks, it seems pretty easy for a dedicated party with more sinister motives to make their way in. We don't care so much since we're two people and easily able to keep an eye on our kid when we're out. There's a burgeoning Park Slope-style yuppie consciousnees on the north side of the elevated that we find amusing, and this is an example of just that. You live in a city, you're not "safe" as a matter of course, and you should bear that in mind and not fool yourself into thinking/wishing differently.

I would like to put a word in for Sunnyside Park (...

2008-05-03T13:38:00.000-05:00

I would like to put a word in for Sunnyside Park (39th Ave & 49th St). Yes, you have to pay a yearly membership to join but it is well worth it. The gates are closed so children have the freedom to roam without the parents or guardians hovering over them, there are clear areas for smoking and not smoking, ball playing and no ball playing and I feel comfortable enough to leave my bag unattended on a bench if I need to.

The park has really improved and diversified over the past six years or so. And the board has a long history of making payment plans with families for whom the fee is a hurdle. Plus you have a wonderful community of people there again and again, so you meet some great people. And if you have a complaint, there is someone there all the time to speak with immediately.

There's my plug for Sunnyside Park!

re: Ant ... indeed writing to those folks as well ...

2008-04-29T10:52:00.000-05:00

re: Ant ... indeed writing to those folks as well certainly won't hurt, but every time I've called 311 they have reacted surprisingly well, regardless of the type of complaint (noise, garbage, etc.).

I think calling 311 is a waste of time for somethi...

2008-04-29T09:35:00.000-05:00

I think calling 311 is a waste of time for something like this; I'm on the fence about Gioia doing anything either.

Instead, address your letter to the commissioner and the borough commissioner of Parks & Rec.

Comm. Adrian Benepe
Central Park
830 5th Avenue
New York , New York 10021

Boro Comm. Dorothy Lewandowski
The Overlook
80-30 Park Lane
Kew Gardens, NY 11415

1) call 311 if you want to complain about unsavory...

2008-04-29T09:04:00.000-05:00

1) call 311 if you want to complain about unsavory characters or inattentive park attendants. It might take a few calls but they will get the point.

2) if there are tween/teens that are being abusive and threatening CALL 911 and the police will respond.

3) Write letters to Eric Gioia - he pays attention and will work with you.

4) Don't forget that you live in a large city - no, you shouldn't have to deal with little jerks kicking soccer balls around your infants or drunks, etc. BUT you have to realize that this ain't Mayberry.

in addition, i am appalled at the amount of drunk ...

2008-04-29T08:57:00.000-05:00

in addition, i am appalled at the amount of drunk men in plain view of the children during the day at the playground. i understand these playgrounds are dually a public park, but it makes me really nervous to think about raising children in sunnyside when the few playgrounds around are filled with unsavory characters.

who can i contact about these sorts of complaints? would our district representative be able to do anything?