Bowne Park — Attraction in New York

I live in the neighborhood, and I love to go to Bowne Park whenever I have time. Recently I go there everyday. It has a large pond with two water shoot outs, which give out a lively and present sound for everybody close to the pond. There are two big willow trees standing right by pond with hanging leaves towards the water, creating a very artistic view from all directions. I love taking photographs here in the park, so I have a good collection of them. In the early summer time there are geese walking in the park, but in July, they are gone. There are one mother duck with a dozen of babies instead. There are also a lot of turtles surfing in the pond. The condition of the park seems to have been improved, but you can only use the restrooms before six pm. They will be locked up after six, which I find it very inconvenient for a lot of people who stay in the park until 10 o'clock!

Below I would like to give the brief history of Bowne Park: Parks acquired this property on June 1, 1925, by condemnation. On June 10, 1969, Bowne Park made headlines as the first City park with an instant playground. This creation, developed by Mayor John V. Lindsay and Parks Commissioner August Heckscher, provided ready-made modular playground equipment to communities lacking adequate recreational facilities. Donated anonymously, Bowne Park's units consisted of eight-sided colorful fiberglass play-cubes.

In 1994, Bowne Park underwent an extensive, $800,000 renovation funded by Queens Borough President Claire Schulman. The renovated park offers recreation for all age groups; it boasts a bocce court surrounded by benches and tables, modern playground equipment, slides, swings, a spray shower, and basketball courts. The parkhouse, crowned by a weather vane, includes a community room that doubles as a nursery. Beautiful bench-lined walkways provide space for relaxing. The park features a pond that is home to families of turtles. A cement turtle, set atop the rolling hills overlooking the pond, stands guard above his more lively counterparts as they navigate the waters below. Two weeping willows, measuring nearly fifty feet in height, lie adjacent to the pond. In addition, American Elms and Oaks shade the park during the summer months with their wide canopies. The John Bowne homestead, located at 37-01 Bowne Street, lies south of the park and remains the oldest private residence in the borough.

The community has always been active in the affairs of Bowne Park. The Bowne Park Civic Association has remained true to its motto "A Better Community through Civic Action", by maintaining relevant historic documents and providing a center for...

Best park in Northeast Queens. I say that because it’s much more intimate than many of the other parks in the area. Not too big or small. The perfect size with amenities for all ages and surrounded by quiet streets and beautiful homes

The park is clean and well kept. It is picturesque with the beautiful pond and weeping willows bordering it.

The recent renovation upgraded the pond as well as the walking paths. The added additional benches throughout the park which was needed. You can easily find a quiet spot that’s relatively private to relax, read or meditate without noise or interruption. Of course this is more achievable in the morning as opposed to later in the day when more people visit,

The park has a nice playground, basketball courts and a new bocci court so there’s something fun for everyone.

The pond is filled with fish, turtles and ducks which is thoroughly enjoyed by the children who like to feed them. Many children don’t get the experience of seeing turtles and fish live except in aquariums. They also installed two water spouts that help filter the water and also provide some visual and sound interest.

If you’re looking for a change of pace from your go to neighborhood park and live in the vicinity Bowne Park is a beautiful park...

Update Jan 2022: The pond at Bowne Park has been drained & fenced off for greatly needed repair. That was a few months ago. Regrettably, it is typical for the NYC Park Dept to start projects & sort of just forget to complete them.

Actually, MANY NY City projects work that way. Construction for parts of the new 2nd Ave subway were starred in the late 1960's & haven't been completed as yet. (Some cretics feel that the failed completion should be measured from the demolition of the 2nd Ave elevated tracks, which might have been in the 1940's).

Then there is the section of the lower Manhattan Expressway that was completed perhaps 70 years ago & never connected to any thing at either end & just buried.

If we are talking about excellence in failing to complete projects, we should absolutely include the East Side access for the Long Island RailRoad. \While the delay might only be a few decades, the COST for the tiny section of tunnel & track is HUGE! It's literally a hole that they just...