Kissena Park's Neglected Amenities: Years Without Water and Bathrooms

Persistent Lack of Basic Amenities

• 💧 For years, a significant portion of Kissena Park in Queens has been without working drinking fountains and bathrooms.
• ⏰ This issue was first reported in 2023, and despite the passage of time, the situation remains unchanged.

Impact on Park Users

• 🎾 Regulars, like Botchi players who have frequented the park for two decades, are frustrated by the deteriorating conditions, including cracked courts and potholes.
• 🥵 Park stewards highlight that the lack of water and restrooms in about a third of the park is a growing concern, especially as temperatures rise.
• 😠 The situation is described as "disgraceful" by park visitors who are aggravated by the ongoing neglect.

Proposed Solutions and Funding Concerns

• 🚧 The Parks Department cites breaks in two water service lines as the cause and is seeking $25 million in capital funding for repairs.
• 📉 Advocates point to chronic underfunding of New York City parks, which receive only about half a percent of the city's budget.
• 😟 Some park users worry that other parks are being prioritized for repairs and improvements over Kissena Park.

Hope for Future Improvements

• 📜 New legislation mandates the installation of 50 additional drinking fountains citywide over the next decade.
• 🙏 Regulars at Kissena Park hope their park will be among the first to receive these much-needed upgrades.