Tucked away amidst the bustling streets of Woodside, Queens, lies Strippoli Triangle. This small, unassuming park holds a poignant story. Strippoli Triangle honors the memory of Private First Class Joseph Patrick Strippoli. He was a local resident who tragically lost his life in the Vietnam War.
Joseph Strippoli was a young man of remarkable talent and promise. He attended P.S. 151 and William Cullen Bryant High School. He even earned an academic scholarship. His artistic abilities shone through in his award-winning sculptures. In 1968, at the age of 21, his life was cut short when he was killed by a landmine near the Cambodian border. He was serving his country in Vietnam.
Strippoli Triangle, formed by the intersection of 54th Street, 31st Avenue, and Hobart Street, stands as a quiet testament to his sacrifice. This small patch of green offers a moment of respite from the city’s relentless pace. It’s a place to reflect on the cost of war and the lives lost too soon. The triangle itself is a remnant of Bowery Bay Road. This old road once stretched from Calvary Cemetery to Bowery Bay, an inlet in the East River near LaGuardia Airport.
This area is steeped in history. Just a few blocks away is Boulevard Gardens, a housing complex built during the New Deal era. It was designed by T.H. Engelhardt and renowned landscape architect C.N. Lowrie. It was initially intended to provide affordable housing. The nearby Moore-Jackson Cemetery dates back to the 18th century. It contains the graves of early settlers, including Augustine Moore, whose well-preserved tombstone marks his death in 1769.
Strippoli Triangle, while small in size, carries a weighty significance. It is a reminder that amidst the urban clamor, stories of individual lives and sacrifices deserve to be remembered. As you stand here, take a moment to reflect on Joseph Strippoli’s story. It is a story that echoes the resilience and heartbreak of a community and a nation touched by war. Strippoli Triangle serves as a place where his memory, and the memory of others lost to war, can live on.