Crossing Brookville Boulevard will be safer for patrons of Brookville Park thanks to the installation of three new traffic lights. Councilman Donovan Richards and Queens Department of Transportation Commissioner Nicole Garcia last week unveiled the safety upgrades.

“At this very busy park, it is very hard for people to cross the street,” Richards said, standing at the intersection of 144th Avenue and Brookville Boulevard. “It is a very heavily utilized section of the district.”

Richards recalled a time when he was about eight or nine years old and was almost struck by a car trying to cross the street at the same intersection.

“To cross the street was at your own peril,” he said. “You were putting your life in someone else’s hands.”

Brookville Boulevard is also a main road for people driving through Queens or going to and from Long Island. The new traffic lights at 143rd, 144th and Newhall avenues have crossing signals and crosswalks.

Garcia highlighted the walk signal countdown timers as a massive safety improvement for anyone looking to cross the street.

“These three new signals highlight his advocacy to make traffic move more smoothly and predictably, creating a safer crossing along Brookville Boulevard for everyone,” said Garcia. “Especially our seniors and school children looking to enjoy the park.”

After Richards and Garcia unveiled the new lights, they took the hands of some of the children at the park for summer camp, waited until the walk signal appeared, and then crossed the street safely.

“For years, residents have been crossing Brookville Boulevard to get to Brookville Park at their own risk while cars sped down the road without any traffic lights,” said Richards. “Thankfully, the NYC Department of Transportation heard our cries and came through with three crossing signals that will ensure everyone can safely cross Brookville when they are visiting the park.”