Maple Grove Park

Deep within Queens, nestled between bustling streets and towering buildings, lies a hidden gem: Maple Grove Park. But it’s more than just a park. It’s a cemetery, a final resting place for thousands, each with a story to tell. Established in 1875 by Colonel William Sterling Cogswell, Maple Grove Cemetery holds within its 65 acres a rich tapestry of history. It comprises two distinct sections: Monumental Park, the older section with winding roads through a forest-covered hilly terrain, and Memorial Park, which opened much later in 1943. Originally, the entrance to Maple Grove Cemetery was on Queens Boulevard. Designed by the notable New York City architect James E. Ware, the original Lodge Building and Receiving Tomb were erected in 1875. A few years later, the Victorian Administration Building was built at the Lefferts Boulevard and Kew Gardens Road entrance. Maple Grove Cemetery also houses a poignant memorial to the 21 individuals interred there who perished in the 2001 World Trade Center attack. This memorial, located in Memorial Park’s Presidential Circle, serves as a somber reminder of that tragic day. Over the years, Maple Grove Cemetery has seen many changes. The original Lodge was demolished and the Queens Boulevard entrance was relocated further south, near the Briarwood subway station. More recently, in 2009, a new Center at Maple Grove building, designed by architect Peter Gisolfi, opened its doors. Housing the cemetery offices, Celebration Hall, Community Room, and Columbarium, this modern addition stands in contrast to the historic Victorian structures. A third entrance was also added on Kew Gardens Road near 129th Street. Today, Maple Grove Cemetery is not only a place of rest, but also a living testament to history and architecture, where the stories of the past intertwine with the present.