Councilwoman Diana Reyna, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Open Space Alliance of North Brooklyn, and over 100 volunteers including a Boy Scouts Troop from the Brooklyn Chapter of the Arrow Honor Society devoted a day of service to Cooper Park on Sunday, building a family picnic area in the park.

Volunteers spent the day repainting a section of the park’s fence, planting new trees and bushes, and assisting the Parks Department in the installation of barbeque grills and picnic tables.

“This project is about making Cooper Park more accessible to its residents,” said Reyna. “A family picnic area will provide the Cooper Park community with greater access to healthy, outdoor activities and will help foster stronger ties among neighbors and families.”

Reyna contributed $2.45 million in funds to renovate the park, located on Maspeth Avenue and Sharon Street between Olive Street and Morgan Avenue,

Longterm plans for the park include renovated tennis courts, an upgraded dog run, renovated basketball and handball courts, new volleyball courts, a new skate park, landscaping and pathway improvements. Likewise, a private operator will bring a new Farmers Market to Cooper Park this summer.

“There is something for all park users in this diverse community to enjoy,” Thayer added.