“O’Donohue Park summer sunset films” has a nice ring to it. This free summer series is brought to you by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. O’Donohue Park offers stunning views. Coastal dunes and the Atlantic Ocean can be seen. The Rockaway Inlet is also visible.
O’Donohue Park is a public green space. It is in Far Rockaway Queens. The park sits at the eastern tip of the Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk. O’Donohue Park has a rich history.
Let’s jump back to 1868. Mary O’Donohue purchased the land. Her heirs developed it into a summer beach destination. In 1925 Isaac Zaret bought the property. He named it O’Donohue Park. His plan was to build fifty homes. The plan failed to materialize. By 1938 the property fell into foreclosure. In 1942 the city acquired the land. In 1957 another 14.5 acres were added. This expanded O’Donohue Park west.
The NYC Parks Department constructed the current park in 1963. They extended the Rockaway Boardwalk. The extension went from Beach 19th Street to Beach 9th Street. The new extension was made of concrete. It stood at an elevation of 10 feet. A public beach was included. Fill was provided to nourish the beach. Parking was added. A baseball field was built. A brick concession and bathroom were constructed at Beach 17th Street. A picnic area and handball courts were also built.
In 2012 O’Donohue Park was reconstructed. An underutilized parking lot was transformed. It became a lawn and the Far Rockaway Skate Park. Basketball courts and exercise equipment were installed. A sitting area was created. At Beach 17th Street there is a baseball field and lifeguard station. At Beach 9th Street is a children’s playground. A comfort station is available here.
O’Donohue Park overlooks East Rockaway Inlet. It is an extension of Reynolds Channel. It connects to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk runs parallel. This starts at Beach 9th Street. It goes to Beach 126th Street. The boardwalk is 5.5 miles long. The beaches cover an area of 170 acres. They span 7 miles.
The beach and boardwalk run adjacent to many neighborhoods. These include public housing and high-rise developments. Some sections are next to uncrowded beaches. Other sections have recreational and bathroom facilities. These tend to be crowded.
There are many recreational facilities. Basketball and handball courts are available. There is a roller hockey rink. Skateparks and playgrounds are also here. Food concessions are available. Comfort stations provide restrooms.
Within Far Rockaway are recreational facilities. O’Donohue Park near Beach 9th Street offers a playground. Ten handball courts are here. Three basketball courts are also available. Restrooms are provided. The Far Rockaway Skate Park is here too. Near Beach 17th Street is another playground. A baseball field is located here.
So next time you are near Far Rockaway, make sure to visit O’Donohue Park. It is a place where history meets recreation. It is a place where the community gathers.