Construction of

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground

Located at the corner of 39th Avenue & 50th Street
in the Borough of Queens

Commissioner Review
May 20, 2021
Christina Twomey, NYC Parks

Total Budget: $4.815 Million Total, FY 2017 & 2020

Funding provided by Council Speaker Cory Johnson
& Councilman Van Bramer

Project Size: 0.23 acres

Goals
• Provide play equipment and water play for ages 2-12
• Element to honor Lt. Michael Davidson
• Separate passive space with seating for adults
• Restoration and incorporation of existing structures
• Provide an aesthetic that is appropriate for the site’s historic context

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground | Project Goals

2
 Bronx
INDICATES DESIGNATED
Randalls Rikers HISTORIC DISTRICT
Island Island

Manhattan

Sunnys
ide
Garden
Queens s Park

Phipps
Brooklyn
Garden
Apartm
Borough of Queens ents
39th Ave
Astoria
nue

39th Ave
Dutch Kills nue

Woodside

Hunter’s Sunnyside
Point Gardens

Sunnyside

Sunnyside Gardens Neighborhood Project Location

N

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground | Project Location

3
 Sunnyside Gardens Historic District
Barn ett Av
e. 50-02 Sunnyside Gardens Historic District
iv 51-20 Borough of Queens, NY
ide D
N. S
LIRR Landmarks Preservation Commission
Block 123
Lot 12 (LP-2258)

38-19
44-98
44-12 Boundary of Historic District

38-12

38-20
45-02
47-01

39-03

39-01
39-01

39-02
39-02
39-02

39-02
Calendared: March 6, 2007

39-01
39 A ve.
(M iddl eb
urg)

39-01
Public Hearing: April 17, 2007

39-05

39-01
39-02
51-19
Designated: June 26, 2007

39-02

-02
39-09

39-10 39
51-26

39-01
)
H ill Av e.
5
Miles

8
(Loc ust)

39-0
) ackard
Date: 06.26.2007

(Lau rel

lis s)
Author: JLM

39-35
Ave.)
)
(C arolin
46 St. (B
45 S t. (P
44 S t.
39 Rd.

43 S t.

(Go sman

(H eise r)

(Fitting)
47 S t.

(S tone)

n)
(Dic k so
48 S t.

49 S t.

50 St.

51 S t.
39 Dr.

52 St.
40-30
39-77

40-31
39-83

39-70
43-01

39-94
39-93

39-87
39-94

39-88
39-89
46-31
46-16

41-01
47-18 Sk illm an
A ve.

41-02
Existing Historic Districts

52 St.

53 St.
Proposed
District
Manhattan

43 A ve.

Queens

Brooklyn
43-20
43-37

¯
ve.
lt A
eve
43-42

s
Roo

Qu e en
s Blv d

Graphic Source: New York City Department of City Planning, MapPLUTO, Edition 03C, December 2003.
N

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground | Neighborhood Context

4
 1931:
CORNER
PARKING LOT

1935:
EMERGING PARK
WITH GARDEN SHED
Phipps Garden Apartments, 1st Unit - 1931 Completion of Phipps Garden Apartments, 2nd Unit - 1935

Lt. Michael Davidson Community Input Meeting | A Park Emerges

10
Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground | Site History
5
Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground | Play Yard - 1937
Lt. Michael Davidson Community Input Meeting | Play Yard, 1937 6
11
Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground | FDNY Lt. Michael R. Davidson - 1981 - 2018
Lt. Michael Davidson Community Input Meeting | FDNY Lt. Michael Davidson, 1981 - 2018 7
12
 RD
ULEVA
R N BO
THE
NOR 10 min (1/2 mile)
walk radius Sunnyside Gardens
Private Park

Lawrence Virgilio
Playground
Basketball Courts
Handball Courts
Play Equipment
Water Play
Comfort Station
Adult Fitness
5 min (1/4 mile)
walk radius
Outdoor Pool
Running Track

Doughboy Park
Dog Run

E
AV
ELT
EV
OS
RO

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground | Neighborhood Context

8
 Legend
39TH AVENUE
Project Limit Line
Park Entrance
SIDEWALK
Building or Structure

Multi Purpose Area

Tree Canopy

Traffic

50TH STREET
8’ Fence
4’ Fence

MULTI
PAVILLION

MULTI- -STORY
BUILDING
Striped Crosswalk

BUILDING
SIDEWALK

STORY
SHED

MULTI - STORY
BUILDING
N

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground | Existing Conditions 0’ 10’ 20’

9
 Legend
39TH AVENUE
Canopy

Structural Root Zone

+
SIDEWALK
Critical Root Zone

Stump Removal

+ + + +
Tree Removal due
to poor condition

Tree Removal due

50TH STREET

to design considerations

MULTI
PAVILLION

MULTI- -STORY
BUILDING
BUILDING
SIDEWALK Clear and Grub

STORY
+ +
SHED

+
++
++
++
+
+
MULTI - STORY
BUILDING
N

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground | Tree Inventory 0’ 10’ 20’

10
 18% 18%
27%

45% 45% 10%

27% 18%
90% 90% 54%

Community Input Results

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Community Feedback

11
1 - Corner of 39th Ave. and 50th Street 2 - Sidewalk along 39th Ave.

2 1

MULTI
PAVILLION

MULTI- -STORY
BUILDING
BUILDING
STORY
SHED

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Site Photos

N
MULTI - STORY
BUILDING

12
1 - Northwest corner of site looking southeast through pavilion

MULTI
PAVILLION

MULTI- -STORY
BUILDING
BUILDING
STORY
SHED

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Site Photos

N
MULTI - STORY
BUILDING

13
1 - Northeast corner of site looking southeast

MULTI
PAVILLION

MULTI- -STORY
BUILDING
BUILDING
STORY
SHED

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Site Photos MULTI - STORY

BUILDING
N

14
1 - Southwest corner of site looking east

MULTI
PAVILLION

MULTI- -STORY
BUILDING
BUILDING
STORY
SHED

1
Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Site Photos
N
MULTI - STORY
BUILDING

15
 39TH AVENUE
39TH AVENUE
Area Of Work

Park Entrance with Gate

Existing Tree Grove

Decorative Paving
Adjacent Multi-Story
Passive Green Seating Building

50TH STREET
Hi-Lo Drinking Fountain Restored Pavilion with
& Bottle Filler Shaded Seating

Flagpole with Bronze

Plaque and Engraving

Restored Comfort Station

Planted Buffer 5-12 Play Area

2-5 Play Equipment

50TH STREET

Water Play

Adjacent Multi-Story
Building
N

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Schematic Plan 0’ 10’ 20’

16
 Play yard with shed - Date Unknown Under the Pavilion - Date Unknown

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Historic Structures

17
 N

New painted corrugated steel roof

panels -Typical
Toilet Stall
Restore Steel Clapboard Siding and
Entry/Wash Rm. New Painted Wood
Trim – Strip and Repaint-Typical All
Door and Trim
Elevations
4. Ramped Paving at
2.
1. Mechanical Rm/Closet Door New Concrete Slab Foundation. Elevate
3. Building for Positive Drainage
West Elevation North Elevation

Plan

Entry/Washroom
• ADA Wash Basin
• Diaper Change Station
• Hand Dryer

Mechanical Rm./Closet
• 1. RPZ/House Trap
• 2. Electrical Equipment/Work Zone
• 3. Basic Cleaning Station
• 4. Slop Sink
Toilet Stall
• ADA Compliant Water Closet
• Toilet Accessories
• ADA Grab Bars
Restored Wood Windows with
Restored/Painted Obscured Tempered Safety
Steel Siding - Typical Glass and Fixed Security
Screen –Typical All Locations
New Painted Wood
Door
East Elevation South Elevation

Comfort Station Schematic Plan

and Elevations

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Restored Comfort Station Schematic Plan & Elevation Views
0’ 10’ 18
 Outline of Roof/Overhang New Asphalt Roof Shingles on
Above Repaired Wood Decking

New Decorative
Pavement Floor

Vertical Wood Post on

New Concrete Footing

Ground Plan Roof Plan

New Lighting and Power

Prepare All Wood Components

and Repaint

Repair and Reinforce All

Wood Framing

Elevate Building and Place

on New Concrete Piers.

2
Elevation/Longitudinal Section 1
Elevation/Transverse Section

Pavilion Schematic Plan, Elevations/Section Views

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Restored Pavilion Schematic Plan & Section Elevation Views 0’ 10’
19
 A

A’ N

A A’
Restored Commemorative Restored Water Play Pad &
39th Ave Cautley Tree Grove
Pavilion with Flagpole Restroom 5-12 Play Equipment
Shaded Seating
& Planting

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Site Section 0’ 10’ 20’

20
 20’-0” Flagpole

Granite flagpole base

Color: Barre Grey
Finish: Thermal
Lt. Davidson’s Helmet
Bronze dedication
plaque mounted flush
to granite face

Engraved maltese cross

with Lt. Davidson’s engine
company and badge number

Maltese Cross

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Commemorative Flagpole

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 2’-9”
SQUARE

THIS PLAYGROUND
STANDS IN HONOR OF 5/8” Tall

19-0” LIEUTENANT
MICHAEL R. DAVIDSON 1-0” Tall
THIS PLAYGROUND ENGINE COMPANY 69
STANDS IN HONOR OF

LIEUTENANT
MICHAEL R. DAVIDSON 11-0” WHO GAVE HIS LIFE IN SERVICE
ENGINE COMPANY 69

WHO GAVE HIS LIFE IN SERVICE

TO THE CITY OF NEW YORK
TO THE CITY OF NEW YORK
Flagpole Base
Color: Barre Grey
Finish: Thermal 3’-9”

22-0”

Decorative Border Tavertine texture

with chemical
patina finish

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Commemorative Flagpole

22
 2-5 Play Equipment

5-12 Play Equipment

Play Equipment Colors

Safety Surface Colors

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Play Equipment - Landscape Structures

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 #1

#4
#2

#3

#1 - Activation Bollard #3 - Directional Jet

#2 - Team Spray #4 - Silohuette Spray

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Spray Play Features - Vortex

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 ‘39 World’s Fair Bench - 8’-0” & 4’-0” Standard ADA Picnic Table Standard Table with Chairs

Steel Fence - 4’-0” Type B Luminaire & Pole Bottle Filler & Type E Hi-Lo Decorative Bins

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Site Furnishings

25
 Playground Color Palette Passive Seating Palette

Play Equipment Colors - LSI Standard Colors

Paving Pattern
Safety Surface Colors
#1 #2

Flagpole Base
RPL Benches Color: Barre Grey
Color: Cedar Finish: Thermal
Concrete Pavers
1) Matrix #M3104, Tudor finish
2) Tan, Tudor finish

RPL Benches & Tables

Color: Cedar

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Site Materials

26
 39TH AVENUE

LEGEND

DOUBLE GATE ACCESS

MEDIUM / PERIMETER FENCES

4’ STEEL

TALL / PERIMETER FENCES

8’
CLF WITH HANDBALL MESH

8’
4’
50TH STREET

8’

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Proposed Fence Diagram 0’ 10’ 20’

27
London Plane Tree Eastern Redbud Eastern Redbud
Platanus x acerifolia Cercis canadensis - “Ace of Hearts” Cercis canadensis - “Alba”

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Proposed Trees

28
 Smooth Leaf Hydrangea Smooth Leaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens “White Dome” Hydrangea arborescens “Annabelle”

Glossy Abelia Eastern Red Cedar Fragrant Sumac

Abelia grandiflora “Edward Goucher” Juniperus virginiana “Grey Owl” Rhus aromatica “Gro-low”

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Proposed Shrubs

29
 Legend
Plant
Bed

Sustainable Practices
• Increase permeable surfaces

• Improve tree health and growing

conditions

• Use site appropriate resilient

plant material

Existing = 25% Impervious Surface Proposed = 34% Impervious Surface

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Sustainability Analysis

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 39TH AVENUE
39TH AVENUE
Area Of Work

Park Entrance with Gate

Existing Tree Grove

Decorative Paving
Adjacent Multi-Story
Passive Green Seating Building

50TH STREET
Hi-Lo Drinking Fountain Restored Pavilion with
& Bottle Filler Shaded Seating

Flagpole with Bronze

Plaque and Engraving

Restored Comfort Station

Planted Buffer 5-12 Play Area

2-5 Play Equipment

50TH STREET

Water Play

Adjacent Multi-Story
Building
N

Lt. Michael R. Davidson Playground || Schematic Plan 0’ 10’ 20’

31