By Jessica Meditz
jmeditz@queensledger.com
Renovations to Juniper Valley Park’s track and field were put on the back burner when a large concrete clog in its main drainage line was discovered.
The project cannot resume until the concrete clog, as well as additional damage to a smaller section of pipe, is repaired.
Supply chain issues and a lack of registration with the comptroller’s office has shut out park goers from the facility for well over a year.
Gary Giordano, district manager of Queens Community Board 5, said that the change order was registered with the comptroller’s office in mid February, which was primarily for the subcontractor hired by the contractor, Applied Landscape Technologies, to remove drainage pipe from the site and replace it.
The contractor is supposedly working on getting permits from the Department of Buildings and the Department of Environmental Protection.
Giordano said they will need a temporary sheeting permit from the Department of Buildings, because the main sewer connection is 26 feet underground.
“That way, after the area around the pipe is excavated, the metal sheeting will prevent the rest of the Earth from covering the pipe again so there is room to work on it,” Giordano said.
Giordano said that it’s “hopeful” the contractor will start work in late March or early April.
“I am told that Applied Landscape Technologies is really on the ball with this, so if they can get their permits and start working, I would hope that they could start working by late this month or early April,” he said.
Giordano said that the long term closure of the track and field affects not just Middle Village, but its surrounding communities whose residents also use the facility.
“Soccer is more and more popular, and children and teenagers need to be able to run around and get some exercise. So now, the prime place for playing soccer in our neighborhoods is not available,” Giordano said.
“It’s forcing the soccer teams that had permits there to try to get permits elsewhere, which costs a lot of money. Children have a hard time not being able to practice close to home,” he continued. “Local football and soccer organizations are closed out of there, not to mention all the people who simply love to walk or jog around the track.”
Giordano added that if Applied Landscape Technologies can get back to work as planned, there is hope that the project will be completed before the end of 2022.
