Across the Grand Central Parkway from Citi Field lies Hinton Park. A big rectangle of green. It’s a quiet place. Unexpectedly so.
This unassuming park in Corona Queens holds a surprising history. It’s named after Reverend George Warren Hinton. He served as pastor of the Corona Congregational Church for an incredible 41 years. He died in 1969 the same year the Mets won their first World Series. A coincidence perhaps?
Reverend Hinton wasn’t just a pastor. He was a pillar of the community. He devoted much of his life to social services and health initiatives. He received awards from Presidents Roosevelt and Truman. The Queens Council for Social Welfare had him as vice-president and director. This quiet park is a fitting tribute to a remarkable man.
The land itself has a story. Initially intended for a housing project called Meadow Gardens the plan fell through. The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority stepped in. They funded the park’s creation. This was a replacement for a playground lost to the widening of the Grand Central Parkway for the 1964 World’s Fair.
Hinton Park may lack the grandeur of some other parks. But its simplicity is deceptive. Two baseball diamonds sit ready for action. Benches invite quiet contemplation. Trees provide shade. There are even game tables. It’s a place for quiet reflection and recreation.
Walk along 37th Avenue towards it. You can almost sense the past. A time when this land was rural. The slightly hilly terrain hints at a different era. Hinton Park may be unremarkable at first glance. But look closer. Listen carefully. The past whispers of a dedicated man and a surprising story. A testament to a life well lived. A quiet corner of Queens. This is Hinton Park.