Crocheron Park facts for kids

Crocheron Park is a public park located at 214th Street and 35th Avenue in Bayside, Queens, New York City. It's a great place for outdoor activities and has a rich history.

A Park with History

The Old Crocheron House Hotel

Before Crocheron Park became a park, the area near Little Neck Bay was home to a popular summer hotel called the Crocheron House. This hotel looked like a beautiful Italian villa with a tall square tower and large windows facing the water.

Around 1868, a man named Joseph Crocheron bought an older building and turned it into this grand hotel. It quickly became a favorite spot for important people like leaders, artists, and business owners. The hotel was famous for its festivals and delicious seafood dinners.

A well-known leader named William Marcy "Boss" Tweed even hid there in 1875 after escaping from jail. He was said to have left for Cuba from the bay nearby, heading for Spain.

The hotel's owner, Joseph Crocheron, was also a famous horse racer, just like Cornelius Vanderbilt and August Belmont. Other members of the Crocheron family were notable too, like Henry Crocheron, who was a member of Congress. Sadly, around 1907 or 1908, the hotel was destroyed in a fire and was never rebuilt.

How the Park Began

After the hotel burned down, the local community worked together. They raised money to buy 42 acres of land and gave it to New York City. This is how Crocheron Park was created! The city officially bought the first part of the land in 1924. It cost the city about $17,769 for 51 acres, and local property owners also helped pay.

Fun and Games at the Park

Park Improvements

In the 1960s, the Parks Department planned to make Crocheron Park even better. They wanted to fix or build new tennis courts. People who used the courts had complained that they were in "really bad shape." The city decided to rebuild them completely instead of just fixing them. A group of 500 people even signed a petition asking for the courts to be repaired.

On October 18, 1965, a special part of the park was named the John Golden Section. Important people like Mayor Wagner and Park Commissioner Newbold Morris attended the ceremony.

Big Concerts and Events

Crocheron Park has hosted many exciting events over the years. On August 13, 1965, a concert was held there, and more than 20,000 people came to listen! The crowd was so big that they had to use two baseball fields. Even though it was raining, everyone, including the musicians, enjoyed the show.

Another huge concert took place on August 6, 1966, featuring the New York Philharmonic Society orchestra. About 40,000 people attended! They cheered loudly for the musicians, conductor Lukas Foss, and singer Marian Anderson. During the performance, a few young people tried to disrupt the concert, but they were quickly caught by police officers. The concert featured famous music by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Aaron Copland, and Ravel.

Historic Re-enactments

The park has also been used for fun historical events. In August 1981, Bayside's third Annual American Heritage Weekend was held at Crocheron Park. This celebration included a re-enactment of parts of the American Revolution, performed by groups dressed in historical costumes. It was a chance to see history come alive!

Marathon Challenges

Crocheron Park is also a popular spot for runners. In August 1981, an all-day marathon was held there. Nineteen long-distance runners participated in this challenging event. It was hosted by The Broadway Ultramarathon Society. The race lasted 12 hours, with runners walking, running, and sweating. The winner was 42-year-old Bob Vandekieff, who ran over 84 miles! Richard Innamorato finished third, covering more than 77 miles.