New Queens playground designed by students also mitigates flooding

JACKSON HEIGHTS, Queens -- Recess is an important part of the school day. 

Some students in Jackson Heights, Queens, have a few more reasons to be excited to get outside. 

It's more than a playground at I.S. 145 in Jackson Heights. 

The band and artists can play on the stage while athletes exercise on the turf. 

Students helped transform the area on their school grounds along Northern Boulevard at 79th Street. The grounds have new colors and equipment. 

The benefits go deeper than the surface. 

The green turf directs rainwater into the ground at the site. Trees provide shade. People can take a break and rest on one of the benches. 

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection worked on the flood prevention part of the project. 

"It helps create more capacity for water to be managed right here instead of going in the sewers," said Melissa Enoch, acting assistant commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and New York City Council member Shekar Krishnan tested the new basketball courts with students.

"This is a model of what's possible. Projects get done with partners and make them environmentally sustainable," Krishnan said. 

Some private funding from New York-Presbyterian and the Trust for Public Land helped build the project in 10 months. 

Amelia Shapiro is vice president of the Dalio Center for Health Justice at NewYork-Presbyterian. 

“It’s all about building healthy environments, and how we can help communities have better lives," Shapiro said. 

The space is open to the public after school hours.