Spargo Park

Have you ever heard of a park named after a “Moses Man”? Here at Spargo Park, tucked away in Woodside, Queens, you’re standing in just such a place. Spargo Park is named after George E. Spargo, a key figure in the powerful Robert Moses’ inner circle. He wasn’t just any aide; Spargo was considered Moses’ favorite. Their relationship went beyond the professional. Spargo even introduced Moses to his second wife. Now, Spargo Park isn’t huge. It’s one of several small green spaces along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. But its modest size belies a fascinating history. In the 1950s, New York City acquired this land for renovations to the BQE. Years later, in 1987, Parks Commissioner Henry Stern named these plots of land. Spargo Park, along with Jennings Park, Latham Park, and Sherry Park, honor prominent members of Moses’ team. George E. Spargo, the park’s namesake, wasn’t just involved in parks. His engineering background led him to oversee impressive projects like the Throgs Neck Bridge and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. He also supervised the construction of the New York Coliseum. So next time you’re zipping along the BQE, remember the small but significant Spargo Park. It’s a quiet reminder of the man behind some of New York City’s most iconic structures.