Larry Ng’s vibrant “Queens, The World’s Borough” sculpture now shares a home with the New York Mets.

The stainless steel, 6-foot tall artwork was relocated to Citi Field from Forest Hills’ MacDonald Park Monday, just in time for Opening Day today, March 26. It had been placed next to the team store, but was moved to a more high-traffic area by the 7 train, not far from the ballpark’s Tom Seaver statue and iconic Home Run Apple.

“As a lifelong Mets fan, I’m especially proud that it will now be displayed at Citi Field — one of Queens’ most iconic destinations — where millions of visitors will be able to experience and celebrate the diversity that makes our community so special,” City Councilmember Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) said last Friday, in a press release announcing the move.

Per city rules, the sculpture could not stay in its original spot in MacDonald Park — it was installed there last year for a temporary, yearlong display through the city Parks Department’s Art in the Parks program.

The sculpture, which is the same red, white and blue as Queens’ flag, was crafted to represent the borough’s rich history and cultural diversity. The release from Schulman’s office called Citi Field a “fitting new home” for the artwork, saying its message will continue to reach a wide audience.

“This collaboration allows us to preserve an important symbol of borough pride while giving our fans a fantastic new landmark to enjoy and photograph during their visits to Citi Field,” said Katie Haas, the Mets’ executive vice president and chief of ballpark operations. “It is a privilege to help keep this artwork accessible to the public in the heart of Queens.”

“I’m happy it’s here because it’s in good company,” said Stephen Melnick of the Friends of MacDonald Park. “We’re just glad that Citi Field has it.”

Stancy Saji, program manager of community and government relations at Northwell’s Forest Hills hospital, said it was “rewarding” to see people in the area connect with the sculpture, especially during a March 8 block party that became “an unofficial farewell.”

“As the official sponsor, Northwell is proud to support its next chapter at Citi Field, where it will reach an even broader audience,” Saji said via email, adding that the health system looks forward to welcoming new exhibits that bring people together in the same way. A series of murals by Deborah Camp is slated to come to MacDonald Park next.

But some didn’t want the sculpture to leave. Forest Hills native Carmen Montijo had started a petition to have it stay put, calling it a symbol of the community’s identity, strength and aspirations, a position supported by this paper’s editorial page.

Montijo’s online petition had more than 430 signatures as of press time, after an event to garner more support was held March 22. It had 50 additional handwritten signatures, she said on Facebook.

She told the Chronicle she was concerned that community input was not adequately considered when the move was decided.

“If we voice our opinions, they should be heard by the politicians,” Montijo said.

“I’m not going to fight too too hard for this, because it’s still a good thing that it’s going to Citi Field,” she continued. “We just wanted to get more of a response from our officials that we put in their position to listen to us.”

Area historian Michael Perlman concurred, saying city agencies and politicians “should not ignore” residents.

Per guidelines set by Parks and the city’s Public Design Commission, permanent installations must be selected through a juried process and lengthy review period. The sculpture was approved for display in MacDonald Park through March 17, after it had been on view for a year. When time was up, Ng worked with Schulman and Parks on next steps.

Perlman enjoyed seeing the sculpture against MacDonald Park’s natural backdrop, saying it had a “larger than life feel,” but he thinks Citi Field’s facade overshadows it. He also worried about its accessibility year-round, wondering how much foot traffic it would get with no events going on.

“The relocation of ‘Queens, The World’s Borough’ feels like a longtime friend abandoned Forest Hills, and all that is left is banal mismatched cement,” Perlman said.

Views on social media were mixed — fans of the artwork were either sad to see it leave Forest Hills or happy about its new location. Others weren’t so keen, and didn’t think it was a good fit for MacDonald Park.

Ng said he was “thrilled” about the move, and he told the Chronicle that Citi Field is planned to be his sculpture’s forever home.

“Queens loves the New York Mets!” Ng said.