Astoria Park
Location: Queens, NY
Client: NYC Parks

As part of NYC Parks’ Anchor Parks Initiative, Astoria Park was selected for $30M of funding for major capital improvements. Nancy Owens Studio is the design consultant selected to design the improvements and a master plan for the 60-acre park. The first phase is a 12-acre reconstruction of the park’s popular track and field facilities and surrounding site improvements such as new seating areas, an adult fitness area, pathway realignments, bleachers and planting. NOS worked closely with civil engineers to develop site drainage and grading improvements, including rain gardens that collect and treat stormwater and a detention system under the synthetic turf field to reduce discharge into the East River.

The second phase includes Charybdis Playground and Comfort Station. Built in the 1930s under WPA, this area of the park includes significant landmarked structures such as the swimming pool complex and comfort station. The design expands the playground into the wading pool area, transforming it into an interactive spray shower with elevation changes and zones with varied water features. New custom-designed play equipment in the playground features circular and geometric elements – columns, roofs, rings, and rails – were inspired by the fountains of the historic pool complex.

Site improvements were sensitively designed to integrate with significant historic architecture and landscape features in terms of materials, proportions, and design. The architecture of the pool complex and the site’s dramatic setting and topography were the touchstones for the design. A variety of play spaces are linked spatially and programmatically into a cohesive whole.