Gantry Plaza State Park To Open An Hour Earlier

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — The athletic field in Gantry Plaza State Park will be opening an hour earlier starting April 17, the city's Parks Department announced Wednesday.

The Long Island City Parents Group, an organization with approximately 950 members, had been pushing for the field to open an hour earlier, at 7 a.m., in order for their children to get some exercise before school. With the support of a few elected officials, including Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, the parents' efforts proved successful.

"Each day state park staff utilize the brief early morning daylight to prepare the park in a manner to ensure safe and enjoyable recreation for the thousands expected to visit," said State Parks spokesman Randy Simmons.

"From time to time State Parks has received a few special requests to adjust the normal operating schedule and when circumstances have allowed we have accommodated.”

The LIC Parents Group's efforts began a few weeks ago.

"There have been numerous studies linking intense physical activity before school with cognitive functioning in school," local parent Kris Schrey told LICPost. "So if we can allow our kids to play soccer or baseball in the morning, they will perform much better in school.”

Almost 70 percent of Queens' elementary school students did not receive the state-mandated amount of PE in the 2015-2016 educational year, according to a Department of Education report.

Lead image via Google Maps