Didn’t Major W. Arthur Cunningham suspect trouble brewing? Cunningham Park. It is a 358-acre park in Queens. It lies between the Grand Central Parkway and the Long Island Expressway. The Clearview Expressway bifurcates it.
Let’s journey back to 1928. New York City acquired land. It was to build a park named Hillside Park. Major W. Arthur Cunningham was a WWI veteran. He served in the 165th Infantry. He later became the city controller in 1933. Cunningham found the city deeply in debt. He disclosed the city’s financial troubles. He aimed to better inform the public.
Tragedy struck in 1934. Cunningham died of a heart attack while riding a horse. He was only 39. Queens Borough President George U. Harvey mourned his friend. He believed Cunningham’s worries about the city contributed to his death.
In 1935, the Board of Aldermen renamed Hillside Park. It was in honor of Cunningham. In June 1936, a memorial was erected. It was a flagpole set in bronze with an inscribed stone base. Cunningham’s seven-year-old son unveiled the plaque.
In 1940, New York City expanded Cunningham Park. It bought land to connect Francis Lewis Boulevard segments. A granite and bronze memorial was installed in 1942. It was next to the Cunningham memorial flagpole.
Today, Cunningham Park offers more than just memorials. The Long Island Motor Parkway provides a bicycle path. It runs through Cunningham Park. It connects Kissena Park and Alley Pond Park. Mountain biking trails wind through the northern areas. They range from beginner to expert levels. New York Road Runners hosts a weekly 2.7-mile Open Run here.
Cunningham Park serves several neighborhoods. These include Fresh Meadows and Bayside. It also includes Oakland Gardens, Hollis Hills, Queens Village, and Holliswood. It is the eastern flank of a grand corridor of parks in Queens. This corridor includes Flushing-Meadows Park and Kissena Park.
Cunningham Park offers playing fields and nature trails. There are also free concerts. The historic Vanderbilt Parkway is also located here. The Cunningham family were Scottish immigrants. They settled in Queens in the 1800s. They were known for their produce and dairy products. John Cunningham eventually agreed to sell his land to the city. He requested that the park be named after his family.
So, as you wander through Cunningham Park. Remember Major Cunningham’s dedication to New York City. Remember the Cunningham family’s legacy.