Queens Parks
At 235 acres, Kissena Park was gradually formed from various pieces of acquired land. Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen
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Most of the other boroughs would be green with envy to see how much green we have in Queens. From Astoria Park in the West to Cunningham Park in the East to Flushing Meadows and Rufus King Parks in the middle, we have plenty of green space for people to frolic and have some fun.
Largest Parks
Although Queens’ population has remained consistent over the years, the living spaces many residents inhabit don’t offer much space for family-oriented, outdoor activity. Those Queensites seeking to venture out for some fun in a natural setting may want to check out any of Queens’ parks. These are the largest:
1. Flushing Meadows Corona Park
1,225 acres
Named for its location (midway between Flushing and Corona) this former swamp was converted into the grounds for the 1939 World’s Fair and was the site of the first United Nations assemblies from 1946-1950.
2. Alley Pond Park
655 acres
Alley Pond boasts of 26 acres of playing fields, the Alley Pond Park Nature Trail, which was the city’s first of its kind, a 23-acre bird sanctuary, bridle paths, tennis courts,, picnic areas, a 200-space parking lot, a 2.5-mile bicycle path and a soon to be opening ropes course.
3. Cunningham Park
358 acres
Archaeological studies have shown that this area was carved out by glaciers nearly 20,000 years ago. Native Americans were the first people to settle in the area, arriving about 7000 years ago.
Doughboy Plaza is one of the top places in Queens for playgrounds. Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen |
4. Kissena Park
235 acres
Acquired in bits and pieces from various property owners, Kissena Park is literally a park which was constructed, without really being built.
5. Idlewild Park
159 acres
Both a major source of fresh water to Jamaica Bay and home to many rare species. Civic associations are currently trying to restore and preserve the wetlands of this park.
Best Playgrounds
Queens has plenty of playgrounds for youth and their families. With the younger age demographic accounting for the highest percentage of Queens’ residents, monkey bars, swings and slides are perfect elements for keeping the young folks entertained. The playgrounds are rated on 100 point scale.
Socrates Sculpture Park, Astoria
Vernon Boulevard, Broadway and 31 st Road
2006 Score: 98
Doughboy Plaza, Woodside
52 nd Street, Woodside Avenue, 39 th Road, 39 th Drive and 54 th Street
2006: 97
Mafera Park, Glendale
65 th Place, Catalpa Avenue and 68 th Avenue
2006: 95
Reiff Playground, Maspeth
Fresh Pond Road, 63 rd Street, 59 th Drive
2006: 95
Saul Weprin Playground, Fresh Meadows
53 rd Avenue between 201 st and 202 nd Streets
2006: 95
Bowne Park, Auburndale
159 th Street, 29 th Avenue, 155 th Street and 32 nd Avenue
2006: 94
Dr. Charles R. Drew Memorial Park, South Jamaica
Van Wyck Expressway, 116 th Avenue, 140 th Street and 115 th Avenue
2006: 93
Wayanda Park, Bellaire
Robard Lane and 217 th Street
2006: 93
Linnaeus Playground, Oakland Gardens
230 th Street between 57 th Avenue and 57 th Road
2006: 92
Breininger Park, Bellerose
Braddock Avenue and 240 th Street
2006: 91
Powell’s Cove Park, College Point
130 th Street to 138 th Place between 9 th and 11 th Avenues
2006: 91
Grover Cleveland Park, Ridgewood
Rene Court, Grandview Avenue, Stanhope Street and Fairview Avenue
2006: 90
Tenney Park, Glen Oaks
74 th Avenue and 260 th Street
2006: 90
St. Albans Park, Saint Albans
Merrick Boulevard, 173 rd Place and Sayers Avenue
2006: 90
Source: New Yorkers for Parks, www.ny4p.org.
Tallest Tree
1. The Queens Giant (a.k.a. Alley Pond Giant or Alley Pond Park Giant)
The Queens Giant is an old tulip tree located near Alley Pond Park. It is the tallest carefully measured tree in New York City. It is also probably the oldest living thing in the New York metropolitan area. The tree is 133.8 feet tall and is estimated to be between 350-450 years old.
2. Big White Oak Tree - Douglaston Manor
3. Historic Tree Grove - Kissena Park
4. Bur Oak - Parson’s Boulevard
5. Osage Orange – Crocheron Park
6. Turkey Oak - McNeil Park
Source: Wikipedia and NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Bike Trails
Rockaway Gateway Greenway
The greenway travels through Floyd Bennett Field, part of Gateway National Recreational Area. It continues through the Rockaways and on-street along Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Shorefront Parkway to the Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Highland Park
The Ridgewood Reservoir in Highland Park is surrounded by an approximately one and a half-mile maintenance road accessible to bicyclists and pedestrians.
Cross Island Greenway
The greenway is an approximately six mile north-south trail beginning at the intersection of 233rd Street and Linden Boulevard.
Alley Pond Park
Bicycle and pedestrian traffic will separate at Alley Pond Park, making the park a premier Hike & Bike destination. Bicycle traffic will use the bike lane along the park’s western perimeter. The bike lane is scheduled for construction in 2002.
Once classified as a burial ground, today Wayanda Park is filled with slides and swings |
Flushing Bay Promenade
Flushing Bay Promenade is an approximately one and a half-mile continuous, multi-use path extending from La Guardia Airport to Harper Street. The Promenade provides an incredible view of the park, Flushing River, and Flushing Bay, including views of boats and other water activities at the World’s Fair Marina.
Source: NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Oldest Parks
Daniel Carter Beard Memorial Square (formerly Flushing Park)
An 1841 map of the town of Flushing shows the site of Daniel Carter Beard Memorial Square (known as Flushing Park until 1942) as a public park, which may make the square the oldest park in Queens. However, the area was not officially designated as Flushing Park until 1875, leaving room for question as to whether it is “officially” the oldest park.
Wayanda Park
A description of Wayanda Park from 1872 said it was “desolate…with no tombstones,” a fact that led later neighborhood residents to appeal for a new park on the site and also suggesting that the area existed as a park previous to that. The town of Jamaica acquired the property in 1844, but it remained classified as a burial ground until 1911 when its status was officially changed.
Forest Park
The site of Forest Park was occupied by various landowners until the late 19th century, when Brooklyn officials purchased the first parcel of this space on August 9, 1895. The officials continued to acquire land around the initial purchase until the park grew to its current form.
Source: NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation
