You are reading

$92 Million Recreation Center to Be Built at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans

NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Michael Dockett, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards,

Queens Borough Parks Commissioner Michael Dockett (L) and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards (R) announce plans for a new $95 million recreation center at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans (NYC Parks/ Daniel Avila)

Dec. 20, 2021 By Michael Dorgan

Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans will soon get a new recreation center via a $92 million investment from Mayor de Blasio’s office, city officials announced Friday.

The new center will be 35,000 square feet in size and will be located by Merrick Boulevard, between 116th Avenue and Baisley Boulevard.

The new facility will consist of multipurpose rooms, fitness rooms and a gym.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Queens Borough Parks Commissioner Michael Dockett, Council Member I. Daneek Miller and other local leaders made the announcement in front of the proposed site Friday.

NYC Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff said the new building will offer residents a new public place to come together.

“This new center will be a space where community members from St. Albans and the surrounding neighborhoods can socialize, get fit, learn and have fun,” Fialkoff said in a statement.

She said the city is hosting a community input meeting on Jan. 25. and is calling on residents to submit design ideas for the structure.

Roy Wilkins Park is a sprawling 54-acre park known for its outdoor tennis, basketball and handball courts as well as its sports field.

There is already a recreation center located at the park that has an indoor swimming pool and indoor basketball hall. That center is by Baisley Boulevard.

The park was named after the prominent civil rights leader Roy Wilkins who also served as president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Wilkins died in 1981 at the age of 80.

Community Board 12 Chair Reverend Carlene Thorbs and Executive Director of the Southern Queens Park Association Jacqueline Boyce also attended the event Friday.

email the author: [email protected]
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Queens senator offers constituents tips to prepare for Tax Day

Mar. 21, 2023 Elijah Hamilton

In preparation for Tax Day on Tuesday, April 18, the office of State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr will bring representatives from the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to his Middle Village office to inform residents about NYC Free Tax Prep services and other programs on Wednesday, April 5, located at 66-85 73rd Pl from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

FDNY rescues woman and her dogs from Jamaica house fire believed to be sparked by exploding e-bike battery

Firefighters rescued a woman and several of her dogs from a house fire in Jamaica Monday afternoon and, once again, an exploding lithium-ion battery on an e-bike is suspected of sparking the blaze, according to FDNY.

The fire broke out in the cellar of the two-story home at 111-12 153 Rd. at around 3:38 p.m. on March 20 and rapidly spread throughout the two-story residence just east of Sutphin Boulevard.

Removing abandoned vessels from Jamaica Bay will be expedited under legislation passed by City Council

Mar. 17, 2023 By Bill Parry

The City Council voted unanimously to approve legislation sponsored by Councilwomen Joann Arola and Selvena Brooks-Powers to amend the city charter to create a marine debris disposal and vessel surrendering office. This will make it easier to clear the city’s shores of derelict boats often abandoned in the outer boroughs, and environmental justice communities like Jamaica Bay, Coney Island, the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull.