It's a never ending public works project

Blanche Park is getting a makeover. Again. This is one of those ongoing things where it's always a work in progress and the neighborhood consensus is that that people are not pleased. For one: they don't want AstroTurf which is what is being put down and two, they don't like the city throwing money away on a pocket park, which this basically is.

I was told by Commissioner Marc Sarnoff's office that the AstroTurf is necessary because this is a very highly used park, which I took as fact until I actually used my brain. On any given day, there are a handful of people, it only looks crowded since it is a small park and people are always jammed in one area, because they usually have to avoid tractors and building materials which are always part of the landscape there.

If you go to Kennedy or Peacock Parks, you'll see many more people, especially on weekends. There are more cars at Kennedy, than there are people on any given day.

I was told by the Commissioner's office that AstroTurf is a good thing and it's porous and it won't entail any upkeep. I was not told the cost. When I asked the Commissioner's office for the cost of this project, I was told to ask the Parks Department, I did ask the Parks Department and I did not receive an answer, I asked the NET office and I did not receive an answer. I went by the park to see if one of those big signs was up explaining the costs, it is not. So I can only assume it is an exorbitant amount of money since no one wants to talk.

I am thinking that money spent on the park could have gone to the police department where it is needed. But what do I know?

Update: This info came from the City's Capital Improvements Department: 
The scope of work includes the removal of the existing natural grass and replacing it with artificial grass.  In addition, the seashell walkway will be removed and replaced with a rubberized walkway.  The total cost for this work is $190,000.

I am upset now.