Avella Wants Review Process for Using Parkland for Construction

State Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, has introduced a bill that would require a review process for constructing on municipal parkland.

Currently, there are three separate proposals to construct at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, including plans for a soccer stadium and an expansion of the USTA Tennis Center, that Avella said would eliminate parkland in the borough's largest park.

"Because parkland is so valuable, the alienation of parkland should be limited to when there is a compelling public need with a strict criteria in place for the replacement parkland," the senator said. "Parkland is sacred and should be preserved for generations to come, not given away to private developers, especially without just and equal parkland compensation."

Under Avella's bill, replacement parkland would be required to be made available at a three to one ratio, so that every parcel alienated must be replaced by a parcel that is three times its size and within a mile in distance from the site being developed.