The plans include a seven-acre community park that will include a playground on the eastern end of the golf course closest to the Throggs Neck Houses. Though pleased that the 300-acre plot of land, which had previously been a public landfill, will be put to positive use, the community expressed concern with the levels of methane gas. The gas is a by-product of the decomposition of garbage and is potentially explosive if concentrated and not vented. The undulating terrain of the PGA level course, the planned waterfront park, banquet hall and community park will call for the addition of four feet of soil. Initially, said Kass, when the golf course was being designed, the developers intended to dig into the waste to create the course s varied topography.
Developers plan to irrigate the soil, and vent it.
Residents were told in no uncertain terms that the area would be safer. Dorothy Harvey, a senior citizen and resident of Schley Avenue, was troubled by the potential rat problem that might be created when construction begins. According to Kass, areas under construction will be fenced off and treated with rodenticide. You re trying to pacify us with this little park. She then raised the issue of a lake to be put at the eastern end of the park, which will then be bordered by a seven-foot fence.