Beneath the rumbling steel behemoth of the Queensboro Bridge, lies Queensborough Oval. It’s not just a patch of green. It’s a stage where the drama of city planning, community desires, and the simple love of a good tennis match play out. Queensborough Oval has been a sports facility for decades. The city intends for it to stay that way. The Parks Department has actively sought proposals to keep Queensborough Oval a recreational hub. They want it open and accessible, not converted into a traditional park. This isn’t without controversy. Community boards and local officials have pushed for more green space, envisioning Queensborough Oval transformed into a leafy haven. However, the Department of Transportation owns the land. They have restrictions against permanent structures. This makes planting trees or installing playground equipment impossible, effectively ruling out a conventional park. For at least the next ten years, Queensborough Oval will remain dedicated to sports. The current tenant, the Sutton East Tennis Club, will be replaced with a new operator. This new facility aims to be more inclusive. Unlike the private club model, the future Queensborough Oval will offer free and low-cost sports programs, particularly during a designated “summer season” of at least three months. The city encourages proposals extending free programs beyond summer. The chosen operator can offer paid programs outside of the subsidized period. Queensborough Oval’s clay surface hints at its future, likely to remain a tennis haven. The Parks Department acknowledges its 40-year history with tennis. Yet, the request for proposals remains open to other sports. The vision for Queensborough Oval highlights the ongoing tug-of-war between the need for recreational facilities and the desire for green spaces in a densely populated city. The debate continues, even as the future of Queensborough Oval takes shape under the watchful eye of the bridge above.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to